New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday decided against addressing the rally in the Abu Road area of Rajasthan's Sirohi because he reached the venue late. He said that his conscience says that he should follow the rules and regulations of the microphone, he apologised to the people and said he would return.
"I got late in reaching. It is 10 pm. My conscience says that I should follow the rules and regulations. So, I apologise before you," Modi said in Hindi speaking without a microphone and loudspeaker.
"But, I want to promise you that I will come here again and will repay with interest the love and affection that you have given me," he said.
PM Modi then chanted "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogan, which was repeated by people.
The rally was planned to give a message and to boost the morale of party workers in southern Rajasthan, which shares a border with poll-bound Gujarat.
A video was shared by Amit Malviya, stating that, that it was PM Modi's 7th program of the day and that the 72-year-old Prime Minister was fasting for Navratri. Modi had reached Abu road after offering prayers at the Ambaji temple in Gujarat's Banaskantha district. He visited the temple after speaking at a rally in the town.
PM Modi was welcomed by Rajasthan's BJP president Satish Poonia, former CM Vasundhara Raje, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Gulab Chand Kataria and his deputy Rajendra Rathore earlier in the day.
Assembly elections in the Congress-ruled Rajasthan are also due later next year.
The National Vice President of the BJP, D K Aruna tweeted the same video, and said PM Modi's decision was a "realistic and humble gesture". "PM Modi Ji always leads by example", she added.