New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign slogan that sought to connect every Gujarati with the present day Gujarat has been a "roaring hit" with over 34 lakh people participating in the exercise by uploading their selfies and videos on social media, BJP sources said on Wednesday.
At a rally in Gujarat's Kaprada on November 6, Modi had said the state has defeated all odds due to the contribution of its people and coined the slogan "Aa Gujarat Main Banavyu Che" (I have made this Gujarat).
"Every Gujarati, be it an adivasi or a fisherman, be it a villager or an urban dweller, is full of confidence today. That is why every Gujarati says 'I have made this Gujarat'. People have built this state with their hard work," the prime minister had said.
The state BJP had launched a campaign around the slogan the next day.
Party sources said around 34 lakh people have participated in the campaign by uploading their selfies and videos on social media as well as the Namo app.
Lakhs of people have participated by clicking selfies at selfie booths installed by the BJP across the state, they added.
"This slogan became an instant hit. To many, it is a reminder of the superhit slogan 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' from the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. But more importantly, people really connected with the sentiment," a BJP leader said, claiming the latest campaign has been a "roaring hit" offline and online.
PM Modi hopes Gujarat witnesses record turnout in assembly polls
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he hoped that Gujarat will witness a record voter turnout in the upcoming state polls, particularly among the youth and first-time voters.
Modi's remarks came after Jam Saheb Shatrushalya Singhji, scion of the Jamnagar royal family, cast his vote at his residence in the presence of the deputy collector and other election officials on Monday.
Tagging a tweet by the Press Information Bureau in Gujarat, Modi said, "I commend Jam Saheb Shri Shatrusalyasinhji for this remarkable passion towards the festival of democracy." "Inspired by him, I hope Gujarat witnesses a record turnout, particularly among young and first time voters," the prime minister said.
In its tweet posted on Monday, the PIB in Gujarat had said, "Jam Saheb Namdar Maharaja Shatrushalya Singhji of Jamnagar cast his vote today at his residence in the presence of the Deputy Collector and other election officials." "On this occasion, Jam Saheb appealed to the citizens of Gujarat to vote in a large number," it said.
Voting for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held in two phases -- December 1 and 5 -- and ballots will be counted on December 8.