This Article is From Dec 18, 2017

Gujarat Election Result 2017: Top 10 Allegations And Controversies During Poll Campaign

As the results for the crucial election, which has turned into a prestige battle for the BJP and Congress, is declared today, here's a look at some of the fiercest attacks during the election campaign.

Gujarat Election Result 2017: Top 10 Allegations And Controversies During Poll Campaign

Congress and BJP were engaged in a fierce war of words during the election campaign.

New Delhi: Gujarat assembly election 2017 saw a high-voltage campaign where Congress and the BJP got engaged in a bitter war of words. The BJP has not declared its chief ministerial candidate for Gujarat; however, the party ran an aggressive campaign with many senior leaders including BJP National President Amit Shah, Union Minister Arun Jaitley seeking votes for the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, led the campaign in his home state for the BJP and attacked rival grand old party on several instances. Congress also tried to gain ground in the state, which is being ruled by the BJP for the last 22 years, by partnering with the Patidar group led by Hardik Patel. The Patel community, which was traditionally loyal to BJP, has been agitating for reservation in education and government jobs. As the results for the crucial election, which has turned into a prestige battle for the BJP and Congress, is declared today, here's a look at some of the fiercest attacks during the election campaign.

Here's Your Cheatsheet On Top 10 Allegations, Controversies

  1. Mani Shankar Aiyar offered supari for me in Pakistan, alleges PM Modi: A day after Mani Shankar Aiyar was suspended from Congress for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "Neech" (lowlife), PM Modi alleged Mr Aiyar offered his supari (blood money) in Pakistan."Mani Shankar Aiyar told people when he visited Pakistan - remove Modi from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace. Someone tell me what is the meeting of getting me out of the way. You had gone to Pakistan to give my 'supari', you wanted to give Modi's 'supari'. However, people need not worry as 'Maa Ambe' (goddess) is protecting me," he said.

  2. Gujarat poll turned Rahul Gandhi into a leader, says Shiv Sena attacking PM Modi: This was not just a flattering remark for Congress President Rahul Gandhi but also a dig at PM Modi. Shiv Sena made the remark in an article in its mouthpiece "Saamna". ""The (Gujarat) election, which is touted by the BJP to be a sure win, seems to have tired Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as it has turned Rahul Gandhi into a leader," the article read.

  3. "Rs 80K mushrooms for PM Modi's fair skin," Alpesh Thakor remark sparks mixed remarks: Congress' Alpesh Thakor contesting from Radhapur in Patan district, took a jibe at PM Modi, suggesting he did understand a poor man's plight. "Somebody told me that Modiji has imported mushrooms from Taiwan...Each mushroom costs Rs. 80,000 and PM Modi has five every day...I was told he has had them since he was Chief Minister," the 40-year-old leader remarked. 
    "So I said, he was dark like me, no wonder he is fair now. I was wondering how he has become gora chitta (fair) and glowing like tomatoes. A person who has mushrooms worth Rs. 1 crore 20 lakh a month can't have poor man's food...like roti-dal." The comment triggered mixed reactions on social media.

  4. Amit Shah asks Congress to "clarify stand on Ram temple": After Congress leader Kapil Sibal appealed in the Supreme Court to defer hearing in the Ayodhya case till after 2019 Lok Sabha election, BJP chief Amit Shah asked Rahul Gandhi to clear his party's stance on Ayodhya dispute. Suggesting that "Congress has double standards on the issue," Mr Shah said BJP wanted the dispute to be resolved. He said while Mr Sibal was appearing with Waqf board in the top court, Rahul Gandhi was busy visiting temples during Gujarat campaign.

  5. BJP calls Rahul Gandhi a 'devotee' of 'Babar', 'Kin' Of 'Alauddin Khilji':  The remark was made by  BJP National Spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao in a tweet.  "Rahul Gandhi has teamed up with Owaisis, Jilanis to oppose Ram temple in Ayodhya. Rahul Gandhi is certainly a "Babar Bhakt" & a "Kin of Khilji". Babar destroyed Ram temple & Khilji plundered Somnath. Nehru dynasty sided with both Islamic invaders.Travesty & Perversity of dynasty!" the tweet read.

  6. Election Commission is "Sleeping On Job", says P Chidambaram: The veteran Congress leader attacked the Election Commission and said the election body allowed PM Modi to carry out a roadshow after voting in Ahemdabad. "It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing?" he asked in a tweet, reacting to PM Modi displaying his inked finger after casting his vote. "Shocking violation of rules. EC is sleeping on the job," he said. 

  7. PM Must apologise, demands Manmohan Singh: Reacting to PM Modi's allegations that he and other senior Congress leaders discussed Gujarat polls with Pakistani guests at dinner table, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched an unusual combative response and demanded an apology. "I sincerely hope that Prime Minister will show the maturity and gravitas expected of the high office he holds instead of concentrating his energy solely on erroneously conceived brownie points. I sincerely hope that he will apologise to the nation for his ill-thought transgression," he said.

  8. "Modi-ji Only Talks About Modi-ji Because..." Rahul Gandhi Takes A Jibe At PM Modi: While campaigning in PM Modi's home state, Rahul Gandhi claimed PM Modi mostly talked about himself. "Yesterday, I heard Mr Modi's speech. In that, 90 per cent time Modi ji spoke about Modi ji," He further said, ""But this election is not about PM Modi or me, about the BJP or the Congress. This is about Gujarat's future."

  9. PM Modi's "Aurangzeb Raj" dig at Rahul Gandhi: Rahul Gandhi was elected as the Congress president on Saturday. However, he had filed his nomination for the Congress top post when the election campaigning was still underway in Gujarat. In one of the rallies, PM Modi attacked the Congress over dynastic politics and said, "I congratulate the Congress on their 'Aurangzeb Raj.' For us, the well-being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command."

  10. BJP calling Hardik, Alpesh, Jignesh 'HAJ' divisive politics, Says P Chidambaram: "Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani are sons of the soil of Gujarat. To call them HAJ is playing the communal card and divisive politics," the senior Congress leader said slamming the BJP for terming PAAS leader Hardik Patel, OBC leader Alpesh Thakore and SC/ST leader Jignesh Mevani as "HAJ". His remarks came after a poster was released on the social media showing upcoming Gujarat elections as a face-off between "HAJ" and "RAM", which stands for (Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay) Rupani, BJP chief Amit (Shah) and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi.  
     



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