Have been subject to intense criticism: PM Modi calls out ‘neutrals’ after Gujarat win

NEW DELHI: After the BJP’s sweeping victory at the Gujarat assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has been the subject of intense criticism since 2002, when he was serving as the chief minister of Gujarat.

PM Modi was addressing party workers and leaders at the BJP headquarters in Delhi on Thursday, after the BJP recorded a landslide victory in 154 assembly constituencies of Gujarat though it lost Himachal Pradesh to Congress.

“The last few elections should be analysed on a big canvas. Those who call themselves neutral, who need to be neutral, where they stand, when and how they change colours, how they play the game, it is very important for the country to know this,” said the BJP supremo.

“People should know that those who claim to be ‘neutral’ are ‘thekedaars’, not much honesty can be expected from them,” said PM Modi.

The Prime Minister credited the Election Commission for holding free and fair elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

“I want to thank the Election Commission for conducting elections peacefully. As far as I know, re-polling in any poll booth was not required. I also want to thank the voters of Himachal. The difference between the number of votes for BJP and the Congress was less than 1%,” he said.

PM Modi lauded the BJP’s landslide win in the Gujarat assembly elections, saying that the people of the state “created a record in breaking a record.”

“By giving the biggest mandate in the history of Gujarat to the BJP, the people of the state have created a new history. People here voted for the BJP rising above caste, class, community and all kinds of divisions,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that people chose the BJP in Gujarat because the “BJP wants every facility to reach every poor, middle class family as soon as possible. People voted for BJP because it has the power to take the biggest and toughest decisions in the interest of the country.”

“The results of Gujarat have proven how strong is the desire of the common man for a developed India. The message is clear that whenever there is a challenge before the country, people show their faith in BJP,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.