People will not forgive those who insult me: PM Modi

Ahmedabad, Nov 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began his election campaign in Gujarat on Monday, hit out at the Congress reminding it that he was the "son" of Gujarat who (according to him) has never had a single blot on his political career. He warned that the people of the state will not forgive those who insult him.

"This is my mother and I am its son. You (people) have helped me grow. You have shaped me. You gave strength and nurtured me. You (the Opposition) dare come to Gujarat and say things about the son of Gujarat. Will any Gujarati forgive the people who levy charges against the son of Gujarat? No Gujarati will endure this insult," he said at a public rally in Bhuj.

The prime minister began his two-day whirlwind campaign tour from Bhuj in Kutch district. He reached Bhuj in the morning and went to pay his respects to the local deity-Ma Ashapura - at her temple in the district.

After offering prayers, Modi interacted with several women, children and shook hands with people gathered within the temple premises.

His visit to the temple is the first by any prime minister and is symbolically important for the BJP's fortunes in the Abdasa constituency where the temple is located.

Abdasa, a Congress stronghold has almost one-fourth of its voters from the minority community. Party members feel that Modi's visit here could help the BJP consolidate majority votes in its favour this time.

The prime minister then went on to address a public rally at Lallan College ground in Bhuj. He made his speech in the local Kutchi language and said that they do not believe in the politics of visiting only during times of elections but in that of development.

Modi slammed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his "hugplomacy" jibe on the Doklam issue. "When the Indian Army was standing eye-to-eye with Chinese at Doklam for 70 days, you were hugging the ambassador of China. For whom? I am asking you a question," the prime minister charged.