“Nation Expected Big Action After Pahalgam” Says BJP’s CR Patil; Urges Record Votes in Gujarat Bypolls
Union Jal Shakti Minister and Gujarat BJP President CR Patil stated Monday that following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, the entire nation believed “something big should be done” and “something big should happen.” He made these remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Rajendra Chavda in the Kadi Assembly constituency by-election in Mehsana district, after earlier campaigning in Visavadar, Saurashtra. Both by-elections are scheduled for June 19.
Referencing India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, Paatil asserted, “Under Modi’s leadership, not only the country but the world knew something big would happen. Operation Sindoor was revenge for the Pahalgam attack.”
“Acting on PM Modi’s decision,” Paatil detailed, “the missile strikes happened – five hours for the first time, two-and-a-half hours the second time, and 30 minutes the third time. But within just 23 minutes, nine terrorist locations were destroyed and the terrorists were killed. Not a single soldier was harmed, and everyone returned safely. This is Modi’s power, India’s power, everyone’s power – and the country wants to strengthen this power.”
Appealing directly to Kadi voters to secure a “record” victory margin for Chavda, Paatil emphasized that the election was not about local development but about demonstrating overwhelming support for the BJP candidate. “After Operation Sindoor, the environment across the country is such that every voter wants to strengthen Modi’s hands. They are confident that ‘Modi hai toh mumkin hai’ (If Modi is there, it is possible). Remember the surgical strike where within three hours, our soldiers eliminated over 300 terrorists and returned safely,” Paatil added.
In Visavadar, campaigning for BJP candidate Kirit Patel, Paatil urged voters and party workers to avoid repeating past “mistakes” and secure a victory, warning that the “future generation won’t forgive us” otherwise. The Visavadar seat became vacant after AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani resigned and joined the BJP.
Addressing party workers in Visavadar, Paatil stressed: “This time, there should be no mistake. We must consider the future generation too. They won’t forgive us if we repeat errors. Correct your past mistakes now. Resolve to elect BJP candidate Kirit Patel to set Visavadar on the path of development.” Patel faces competition from AAP’s Gopal Italia and Congress’s Nitin Ranpariya.
Paatil highlighted national progress under PM Modi’s leadership, admired globally, contrasting it with Visavadar’s perceived lag: “Forget the mistake. You might have tried experiments that failed. It doesn’t matter. But ensure no mistake is made this time.” He underscored the need to elect the BJP candidate to position Visavadar prominently in the nation’s development journey, noting the BJP hadn’t won the seat in several years.
“The BJP has never learnt to lose. And it has also not learnt to abandon a constituency if it loses,” Paatil declared. He concluded by cautioning voters against being misled by individuals spreading misconceptions. Voting for both by-elections is set for June 19.