Narendra Modi files nomination papers from Maninagar

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers from Maninagar constituency here today.

Ahmedabad, Nov 28 : Gujarat Chief Minister his nomination papers from Maninagar constituency here today.

Modi, who is contesting for the second time from Maninagar, was accompanied by state unit BJP President Purshottam Rupala and party MP Harin Pathak.

"This election in Gujarat is different from those held earlier. Normally, it is the political parties or the media which sets the agenda. However, in Gujarat the agenda for the elections would be set by its 5.5 crore people and not by any political party or the media," Modi said after he had filed his papers.

Speaking about the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls when the party managed to win 127 seats while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats, he said, "In 2002 when I fought the elections, not many people were acquainted with me or my work. But now the people have seen my work and have no doubts about me."

The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each.

Speaking on the development in Gujarat, Modi said, "I will ensure that Gujarat achieves the level of development that is seen in developed countries."

"In democracy elections are a festival. We all are now celebrating the festival of democracy. The BJP while asking the people to vote for it will try to reach out to them. The BJP will familiarise the people with its style of functioning and ask them to support it in the elections," he added.

From Congress, Union Minister Dinsha Patel also filed its nomination papers. He is being nominated from this constituency for the first time.

Earlier, Patel won five Assembly elections and four Lok Sabha elections from Gujarat.

The first phase of elections in Gujarat will be held on December 11 and second phase on December 16. The counting of votes will take place on December 23.

Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member Assembly in Gujarat as the term of the State's Legislative Assembly is due to expire on December 26.