Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today said that 6.5 crore people of the state have accepted the BJP’s development mantra and exuded confidence that the saffron party will retain power in the upcoming polls.
Speaking exclusively with India TV, Vijay Rupani, who is contesting from Rajkot West, said that people have rejected the politics of caste and religion and that they will vote for development.
“I believe that we are moving towards our target of 150… the entire Gujarat has accepted the politics of development. People will rise above religion and caste to vote in favour of development. I am sure that the result will be good,” he said.
“What happened in Uttar Pradesh… the BJP bagged more than 325 seats. Your opinion poll has given 120-125 seats, I am sure that the difference of 25 seats will be covered and we will get more than 150 seats,” he said.
Earlier this evening, India TV-VMR Opinion Poll projected that the BJP will win 111 out of a total of 182 assembly seats, while the rival Congress is projected to win 68 seats, with three remaining seats going to 'Others'.
The Chief Minister claimed that the Patidars are with the BJP.
“The Patidars are 100% with us. Last time people were saying this but in Saurashta BJP bagged 39 of 54 seats. This time as well we will get more seats. Hardik Patel has been exposed, he has betrayed them… Paridars are not listening him, they are with the BJP,” he opined.
Also Read: India TV-VMR Opinion Poll on Gujarat Elections 2017: Saffron wave to continue as BJP may win 106-116 seats, Congress 63-73 seats
To a question related to Congress taking support of Patidars, Dalits and OBC to give a tough fight to the BJP, he replied: “The BJP is not at all losing anything. The way Congress is playing caste and religion cards… it will face the heat.”
When asked about why Congress opted not to project a CM face, he said, “The Congress is not going to form government, there people are not interested in this.”
“I had performed my duties honestly and carefully. I fulfilled the promises of my party… I was always among the people,” Rupani responded when pointed that 36 per cent people have said that Rupani is the most favoured face for CM.
On Kapil Sibal representing the Sunni Waqf Board in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid case, he said, “Kapil Sibal’s petition seeking deferment of the case till 2019 has exposed the Congress party. It has now become clear that the Congress is against the Ram Mandir.”
Sibal had yesterday in the Supreme Court demanded that the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute should be heard after the 2019 general elections triggered a major political storm with the BJP attacking the Congress and congratulating the Sunni Waqf Board for distancing itself from Sibal's plea.
Gujarat will go to polls in two phases on December 9 and 14. Counting of votes will take place on December 18. While 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat region will vote in the first phase, the election in the remaining 93 constituencies in central and northern regions will be held in the second phase.
