Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Narmada protest against Rahul Gandhi

Rajkot:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today denounced Congressman Rahul Gandhi for marching with activist Medha Patkar during the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ for his campaign against the Narmada dam project, which he says will was the lifeline of the state.

Addressing a rally in Rajkot district, Gujarat ahead of the national elections, Prime Minister Modi said that “a Congress leader was seen pulling out a padyatra with a woman who blocked the Narmada dam project for three decades.”

The prime minister said the project to build the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada River has been stalled for three decades due to legal obstacles created by activists including Medha Patkar.

He also accused Ms Patkar of defaming Gujarat.

“Ask Congress when it comes to demanding your vote that you take out a padyatra keeping your hand on the shoulders of those who were against the Narmada Dam,” Prime Minister Modi said.

Mr Gandhi was joined by Medha Patkar earlier this week for the padyatra currently running through Maharashtra.

The BJP has criticized Medha Patkar’s campaign against Gujarat’s ‘Sardar Sarovar Dam’, which was inaugurated in 2017. Ms Patkar led the ‘Narmada Bachao Aandolan’, saying water from the dam would displace thousands of families tribal.

On Saturday, JP Nadda party chairman said Medha Patkar was “anti-Narmada, anti-Gujarat and anti-Saurashtra” who tried to block the construction of the Narmada dam and opposed the use of the water for the people of Saurashtra.

“If such people join Rahul Gandhi, it reflects his mentality,” Mr Nadda said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also attacked Mr Gandhi, saying the Congressman represents those who have denied water to Gujaratis.

The Congress and Rahul Gandhi have time and time again shown their animosity towards Gujarat and Gujaratis. By giving Medha Patkar a central place in his Yatra, Rahul Gandhi is showing that he stands with those elements that have denied Gujaratis water for decades. Gujarat will not tolerate this. https://t.co/94jJBz4spP

— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) November 18, 2022

“The Congress and Rahul Gandhi have time and again shown their animosity towards Gujarat and the Gujaratis. By giving Medha Patkar a central place in his Yatra, Rahul Gandhi is showing that he stands with those elements who have refused the water to Gujaratis for decades. Gujarat will not tolerate this,” Mr Patel tweeted.

Elections will be held in Gujarat in two phases on December 1 and 5. The votes will be counted on December 8 at the same time as that of Himachal Pradesh.