Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Tuesday said that the Gujarat model of development stands shattered since the verdict is out. Not even a clarion call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revive the Gujarati pride could repair the cracks, the Sena said in its mouthpiece Saamana .
For the second time in less than 48 hours, the Sena slammed the BJP’s poor show and lauded the Congress. “The PM had to play the Gujarati pride card. The monkeys have sent an alert by slapping the lion. This is a mighty blow to those who restored faith in the Gujarat model. It is (the model) shaken, but we hope it survives until 2019,” the editorial said.
The Sena said those who called Rahul Gandhi and Hardik Patel monkeys are pretending that they have got a distinction instead of just a pass mark. “The PM even cried on the stage to get votes. Not once did he speak about development, but rather harped on Pakistan and Hindu-Muslim issues,” the edit said.
While the victory has been secured by the BJP, the political credits go to Mr. Gandhi, the Sena said. “It augurs well for the people of Gujarat now that it has got a strong opposition.”