Congratulations to the people of Gujarat: Narendra Modi
After the elections came to an end at 5 pm on Monday, Gujarat saw a record turnout of nearly 70 percent for phase 2 and phase 1 was over 70 percent. Chief Minister Narendra Modi took to his blog and thanked the voters.
Dear friends,
The second and final round of voting in the 2012 Gujarat Assembly Elections has come to an end. Your unwavering belief in our democracy and the value you attach to your vote has ensured this historic turnout. I congratulate you for giving the rest of India an invaluable inspiration to exercise our most sacred right in a democracy. You have displayed your profound faith in India's democracy. Such faith on your part is truly wonderful.
As we await the will of our 6 crore Gujarati brothers and sisters, I thank each and every BJP Karyakarta and our well-wishers for their untiring support for us in these elections. From hectic days to sleepless nights, each of you has made a monumental contribution to make the Lotus bloom like never before in Gujarat.
A shift in electoral politics
Friends,
seats,
vote
shares,
margins
and
other
such
facts
and
figures
are
critical
in
understanding
the
uniqueness
of
any
election.
But
beyond
this
realm
of
numbers
and
data,
the
Gujarat
Vidhan
Sabha
Elections
2012
elections
have
offered
us
valuable
glimpses
into
the
sheer
beauty
of
the
Indian
will
and
usher
in
a
paradigm
shift
in
how
elections
will
be
viewed
in
India.
It
was
believed
that
elections
could
be
easily
won
by
votebank
politics-
divide
communities,
firm
up
caste
equations
and
victory
is
assured.
Gujarat
has
changed
that.
It
has
not
only
shown
the
world
that
elections
can
be
won
on
the
issue
of
development
but
also
has
created
a
scenario
where
no
election
can
move
away
from
the
development
agenda.
The
development
in
Gujarat
is
only
but
a
manifestation
of
good
governance.
Development
and
elections
are
inseparable
and
Gujarat
has
a
major
contribution
in
making
this
into
a
reality.
Young and old came to vote
I
never
saw
such
fervor
during
elections
as
I
saw
in
these
Gujarat
elections.
From
the
elderly
to
the
youth,
the
elections
generated
immense
enthusiasm
among
the
people.
Be
it
the
117
year
old
Shri
Kathuria
Dada
from
Dediapada
who
has
voted
in
every
single
election
in
independent
India,
Smt
Maniben
Jadhav
from
Junagadh,
Shri
Gopalnand
Maharaj,
Smt
Ramben
Ramani
from
Kalsari
or
Smt
Ujiben
Kakadia
-
these
centenarians
and
others
have
not
let
anything
come
in
their
way
of
exercising
a
right
obtained
as
a
result
of
the
blood,
sweat
and
sacrifice
of
our
freedom
fighters.
You
must
have
seen
how,
at
the
time
of
various
festivals,
little
children
in
your
neighborhood
come
rushing
at
your
door
to
greet
you.
However
stressed
you
are,
however
much
the
burden
of
responsibilities
bogs
you
down,
when
these
children
wish
you
with
their
innocent
smiles,
you
cannot
help
but
get
drawn
into
the
festive
mood.
That is what some of our school-going children did when they urged Gujaratis to step out of their house and exercise their right to vote. Even though they cannot vote yet, their spirit and exuberance for this greatest festival of our democracy gives me the confidence that Gujarat's future is bright. Though several generations apart from each other, these children and centenarians are ambassadors and role models of Indian democracy and elections.
We will together decide the future
Through the Sadbhavana Mission and Vivekananda Yuva Vikas Yatra, I had the opportunity to reach out to a large number of people across the length and breadth of Gujarat. It has been a constant endeavour throughout my term to reach out to more and more people of Gujarat. I have also extensively campaigned across Gujarat. I have shared with you about what we have done for Gujarat's growth and development and what we determine to do over the next five years. I am also very proud of the fact that Gujarat is the 1st state in the entire world to use 3D projection technology extensively to reach out to the people. What you witnessed during the various 3D interactions is something historic and I am glad it has taken place on the soil of Gujarat.
The
election
campaign
was
largely
peaceful
and
conducted
smoothly
except
for
the
unfortunate
demise
of
11
police
personnel
in
Dahod.
I
would
like
to
express
my
deepest
condolences
on
this
very
sad
event.
Before
concluding,
I
would
congratulate
the
Central
and
State
Election
Commission
and
all
other
officials
for
conducting
the
elections
in
such
an
efficient
and
peaceful
manner.
Their
commendable
efforts
in
ensuring
the
maximum
turnout
need
to
be
lauded.
Friends,
whoever
you
have
chosen
with
your
vote,
as
a
Gujarati,
I
feel
elated
and
proud
with
the
history
you
have
created.
Jay
Jay
Garvi
Gujarat
Narendra
Modi