Patidars deserting BJP is a media perception: Vijay Rupani

New Delhi: Notwithstanding the hype that the Patidar voters have shifted allegiance from BJP to the Congress, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Monday said the Congress party has become "scared" of the developmental stance of BJP and it was only media perception that Patidar voters have deserted the saffron outfit. "Only media is saying that Patidars are not with us. We have won elections over and over even in Patidar areas. On social media: In 2002, 2007 and 2012, Congress was saying it will win. It did not happen," Mr Rupani told CNN-News18, according to a statement from the channel here.

He said, "The Congress party has become scared of the development here...". He further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi could become Prime Minister because people of this country wanted growth and development. "Congress has gone crazy.....It reflects their mind set when they call ‘Vikas crazy’," Mr Rupani said. Mr Rupani also said the Congress "desperation" is also reflected in the fact that the opposition party has started inviting the likes of Alpesh Thakor, Jignesh Mevani and Hardik Patel either to support the Congress party or back it.

Answering questions, Mr Rupani also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role as the Gujarat Chief Minister from 2001 to 2014, the statement said. "PM Modi has put effective systems in place while he was CM... We have further worked to take that legacy forward," he said. The Gujarat Chief Minister also sought to make light of the episode wherein his predecessor Anandiben Patel had to quit in 2015. "Anandiben quit because she was closing in on 75…..There was nothing against her. She wanted next Chief Minister to get adequate time. It was a smooth transition," he said. To a question, he said: "Every election is contested on different issues. We have done nothing to antagonise our voters". "I am daring the Congress, announce your CM candidate and fight on development issues," he said. (UNI)