<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the country`s first seaplane service in Gujarat and undertook a journey on its inaugural flight from Sardar Sarovar in Kevadia to the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.</p>

<p>The 45-minute seaplane service -- launched on the 145th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -- connects the Statue of Unity at Kevadia with the Sabarmati riverfront 200 km away. The seaplane service was started by SpiceJet aviation company.</p>

<p>Modi also inaugurated a Water Aerodrome on the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. It is a part of a series of Water Aerodromes planned to bring the last-mile connectivity in the country.</p>

<p>Earlier, during his address on Sardar Patel`s birth anniversary, Modi said: "Today, seaplane service from the Sardar Sarovar to Sabarmati riverfront is also going to be launched. To see the Statue of Unity, the countrymen will now also have the option of seaplane service. All these efforts are going to give a big boost to tourism in this area."</p>

<p>The seaplanes with their ability to land and take-off from water surface help connect geographies or regions that otherwise are a challenge owing to tough topography and help bring the remotest parts of India into the mainstream aviation network without the high cost incurred on building airports and runways.</p>

<p>These smaller fixed-wing airplanes can land on lakes, and dams, and even gravel and grass, thus offering easy access to numerous tourist spots.</p>

<p>The service will be provided incentives and benefits under the central government`s `Udaan` scheme, which is getting implemented as per a tripartite agreement between the Gujarat government, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Airports Authority of India.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the country`s first seaplane service in Gujarat and undertook a journey on its inaugural flight from Sardar Sarovar in Kevadia to the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the country`s first seaplane service in Gujarat and undertook a journey on its inaugural flight from Sardar Sarovar in Kevadia to the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad. The 45-minute seaplane service -- launched on the 145th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -- connects the Statue of Unity at Kevadia with the Sabarmati riverfront 200 km away. The seaplane service was started by SpiceJet aviation company. Modi also inaugurated a Water Aerodrome on the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. It is a part of a series of Water Aerodromes planned to bring the last-mile connectivity in the country. Earlier, during his address on Sardar Patel`s birth anniversary, Modi said: "Today, seaplane service from the Sardar Sarovar to Sabarmati riverfront is also going to be launched. To see the Statue of Unity, the countrymen will now also have the option of seaplane service. All these efforts are going to give a big boost to tourism in this area." The seaplanes with their ability to land and take-off from water surface help connect geographies or regions that otherwise are a challenge owing to tough topography and help bring the remotest parts of India into the mainstream aviation network without the high cost incurred on building airports and runways. These smaller fixed-wing airplanes can land on lakes, and dams, and even gravel and grass, thus offering easy access to numerous tourist spots. The service will be provided incentives and benefits under the central government`s `Udaan` scheme, which is getting implemented as per a tripartite agreement between the Gujarat government, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Airports Authority of India.

Modi inaugurates seaplane service, boards first flight to Sabarmati

<p>Indian foresters have begun relocating around 300 crocodiles to allow a seaplane service for visitors to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/statue-of-unity-worlds-tallest-unveiled-by-pm-modi-as-tribute-to-sardar-vallabhbhai-patel-174548">world's tallest statue</a>, the newly erected 182-metre (597-feet) <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/things-to-know-about-statue-of-unity-174538">Statue of Unity</a>.</p>

<p>The reptiles, the largest around three metres, are being lured into metal cages and moved elsewhere in the western state of Gujarat on the back of pickup trucks.</p>

<p>So far about a dozen had been extracted "from dyke number three of the reservoir which has been identified as a probable site for the seaplane jetty," a source told AFP on Friday.</p>

<p>Local forestry official Anuradha Sahu said the instruction had come from the state government "for safety reasons as the tourist influx has increased" to the riverside edifice.</p>

<p>The statue of independence hero Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -- a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- is more than twice the size of the Statue of Liberty. It was completed last October at a cost of $400 million.</p>

<p>Bittu Sahgal, editor of wildlife magazine Sanctuary Asia, criticised the moving of the endangered crocodiles, tweeting: "Have we collectively lost our minds?"</p>

<p>Priyavrat Gadhvi, a member of the state wildlife board, said any relocation should have been preceded by a thorough scientific analysis.</p>

<p>The statue is located in a remote stretch in Narmada district, with the nearest city Vadodora being about 100 kilometres away and Gujarat's main city, Ahmedabad, is more than 200 kilometres away.</p>

<p>There are no trains, and most tourists take a bus on a four-lane highway from Vadodora to reach the landmark.&nbsp;</p>


Indian foresters have begun relocating around 300 crocodiles to allow a seaplane service for visitors to the world's tallest statue, the newly erected 182-metre (597-feet) Statue of Unity.

Indian foresters have begun relocating around 300 crocodiles to allow a seaplane service for visitors to the world's tallest statue, the newly erected 182-metre (597-feet) Statue of Unity. The reptiles, the largest around three metres, are being lured into metal cages and moved elsewhere in the western state of Gujarat on the back of pickup trucks. So far about a dozen had been extracted "from dyke number three of the reservoir which has been identified as a probable site for the seaplane jetty," a source told AFP on Friday. Local forestry official Anuradha Sahu said the instruction had come from the state government "for safety reasons as the tourist influx has increased" to the riverside edifice. The statue of independence hero Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -- a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- is more than twice the size of the Statue of Liberty. It was completed last October at a cost of $400 million. Bittu Sahgal, editor of wildlife magazine Sanctuary Asia, criticised the moving of the endangered crocodiles, tweeting: "Have we collectively lost our minds?" Priyavrat Gadhvi, a member of the state wildlife board, said any relocation should have been preceded by a thorough scientific analysis. The statue is located in a remote stretch in Narmada district, with the nearest city Vadodora being about 100 kilometres away and Gujarat's main city, Ahmedabad, is more than 200 kilometres away. There are no trains, and most tourists take a bus on a four-lane highway from Vadodora to reach the landmark.

300 crocodiles around Statue of Liberty relocated to allow seaplane service 

<p>Gujarat OBC leader Alpesh Thakore belonging to Ekta Manch took a dig at PM Narendra Modi during an election rally&nbsp;saying that the prime minister &quot;eats imported mushrooms from Taiwan.&quot;</p>

<p>The OBC leader said Modi has been eating the mushrooms&nbsp;since he was chief minister of Gujarat. He reportedly said that PM Modi&#39;s complexion&nbsp;used to be &quot;as dark as him&quot; but the mushrooms&nbsp;have now &quot;made the PM fairer&quot;.</p>

<p>The Gujarat leader who had met Rahul Gandhi before the Gujarat polls in an attempt to&nbsp;join the Congrees, added that the&nbsp;&quot;PM eats Rs 4 lakh worth mushrooms&nbsp;every day, so how can he like this roti and chawal,&quot;&nbsp;media reports quoted him as saying.</p>

<p>Thakore&#39;s attack on PM was taken up by former J&amp;K chief minister Omar Abdullah who joked on Twitter saying: &quot;this one takes takes the cake and mushrooms,&quot; adding,&quot;any &quot;imported mushrooms&quot;&nbsp;to give me a nice tan? I&rsquo;m already fair without mushrooms.&quot;</p>

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<p>Former J&amp;K chief minister Omar Abdullah joked saying: &quot;I&rsquo;m already fair without mushrooms.&quot; (Twitter)</p>
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<p>Alpesh Thakore, a Patidar leader has been agitating with Hardik Patel for OBC status and quota benefits for his community in Gujarat.</p>


The OBC leader said Modi has been eating the mushrooms since he was chief minister of Gujarat.

Gujarat OBC leader Alpesh Thakore belonging to Ekta Manch took a dig at PM Narendra Modi during an election rally saying that the prime minister "eats imported mushrooms from Taiwan." The OBC leader said Modi has been eating the mushrooms since he was chief minister of Gujarat. He reportedly said that PM Modi's complexion used to be "as dark as him" but the mushrooms have now "made the PM fairer". The Gujarat leader who had met Rahul Gandhi before the Gujarat polls in an attempt to join the Congrees, added that the "PM eats Rs 4 lakh worth mushrooms every day, so how can he like this roti and chawal," media reports quoted him as saying. Thakore's attack on PM was taken up by former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah who joked on Twitter saying: "this one takes takes the cake and mushrooms," adding,"any "imported mushrooms" to give me a nice tan? I’m already fair without mushrooms." Former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah joked saying: "I’m already fair without mushrooms." (Twitter) × Alpesh Thakore, a Patidar leader has been agitating with Hardik Patel for OBC status and quota benefits for his community in Gujarat.

Modi eats mushrooms worth 4 lakhs everyday, alleges Gujarat OBC leader Alpesh Thakore

<p>While Prime Minister Modi finalised the last day&nbsp;before the second phase of election in Gujarat by visiting the Ambaji temple, Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad <a href="https://t.co/SoqixFK74a">pic.twitter.com/SoqixFK74a</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940446313283330048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi&nbsp;boarded a seaplane to reach the Sabarmati Front, and from there&nbsp;road to reach the temple.&nbsp;His seaplane visit drew much attention and was called a &quot;historic&quot; move by his party leaders.</p>

<p>In over one month of the Election campaign in the state, Rahul Gandhi had paid visit to several temples including Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor, Somnath temple,&nbsp;Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar,&nbsp; Ambaji temple.</p>

<p>His frequent visit to the temples had attracted huge criticism from the opposition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A controversy over his&nbsp;religion erupted after Gandhi visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat.</p>

<p>In a recent attack, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has said that the Gujarat polls have taught Rahul Gandhi &quot;visiting temples&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also added that the polls have also taught Manmohan Singh to speak up.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Gujarat ki janta ne do kaam iss chunaav mein achhe se kara diye. Dr Manmohan Singh ji ka mooh khulwa diya, aur doosra Rahul Gandhi ko mandir jaana sikha diya: UP CM Yogi Adityanath <a href="https://t.co/Db3plqEFSQ">pic.twitter.com/Db3plqEFSQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940458188469497856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


In over one month of the Election campaign in the state, Rahul Gandhi has paid the visit to several temples including Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor, Somnath temple,?Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar,? Ambaji temple

While Prime Minister Modi finalised the last day before the second phase of election in Gujarat by visiting the Ambaji temple, Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad. #Gujarat: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/SoqixFK74a — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × #Gujarat: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/Rxv33VdI0i — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × PM Modi boarded a seaplane to reach the Sabarmati Front, and from there road to reach the temple. His seaplane visit drew much attention and was called a "historic" move by his party leaders. In over one month of the Election campaign in the state, Rahul Gandhi had paid visit to several temples including Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor, Somnath temple, Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, Ambaji temple. His frequent visit to the temples had attracted huge criticism from the opposition. A controversy over his religion erupted after Gandhi visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat. In a recent attack, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has said that the Gujarat polls have taught Rahul Gandhi "visiting temples". He also added that the polls have also taught Manmohan Singh to speak up. Gujarat ki janta ne do kaam iss chunaav mein achhe se kara diye. Dr Manmohan Singh ji ka mooh khulwa diya, aur doosra Rahul Gandhi ko mandir jaana sikha diya: UP CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/Db3plqEFSQ — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 ×

Before final phase of Gujarat election, Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath temple

<p>A day before Gujarat heads for its final phase of election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his campaigning in the state with a visit to Ambaji temple.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Gujarat: PM Modi reaches Dharoi Dam via sea plane, will now visit Ambaji temple <a href="https://t.co/EIfdU92iRj">pic.twitter.com/EIfdU92iRj</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940463072182808576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi has reached Dharoi&nbsp;dam&nbsp;via sea plane. From there&nbsp;he will be taking the&nbsp;road to&nbsp;reach Ambaji temple.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His&nbsp;visit to the Ambaji temple was defined as &quot;unique&quot; by party president Amit Shah. Earlier in the day, Shah said: &quot;Modi will take off in a seaplane&nbsp;from Sabarmati riverfront, land in Dharoi dam&#39;s pond and will proceed to the temple by road.&quot;</p>

<p>Prime minister Modi &quot;unique&quot; visit was to promote tourism in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMModi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMModi</a> reaches Dharoi Dam in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/seaplane?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#seaplane</a><br />
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Read <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ANI</a> story | <a href="https://t.co/9Zgmo4Yx3Q">https://t.co/9Zgmo4Yx3Q</a> <a href="https://t.co/uSTfp3LBwU">pic.twitter.com/uSTfp3LBwU</a></p>
&mdash; ANI Digital (@ani_digital) <a href="https://twitter.com/ani_digital/status/940465767451017216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha, to be visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> <a href="https://t.co/WJifctP0jp">pic.twitter.com/WJifctP0jp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940443677586997248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi boards sea plane from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to reach Dharoi Dam <a href="https://t.co/MkbBZTYXFD">pic.twitter.com/MkbBZTYXFD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940452495280693248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sea plane takes off from Sabarmati river with PM Modi onboard, to reach Dharoi Dam <a href="https://t.co/XQ5OgMBdxl">pic.twitter.com/XQ5OgMBdxl</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940453850204344320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Sea plane takes off from Sabarmati river with PM Modi onboard, to reach Dharoi Dam <a href="https://t.co/DeHpQX7UvV">pic.twitter.com/DeHpQX7UvV</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940454739627556865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>His visit to the temple was announced after the state authorities cancelled&nbsp;the request of the roadshow made by BJP and Congress parties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Gujarat police had turned down the request made by political parties citing law and order situation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi has reached Dharoi?dam?via sea plane. From there?he will be taking the?road to?reach Ambaji temple

A day before Gujarat heads for its final phase of election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his campaigning in the state with a visit to Ambaji temple. Gujarat: PM Modi reaches Dharoi Dam via sea plane, will now visit Ambaji temple pic.twitter.com/EIfdU92iRj — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × PM Modi has reached Dharoi dam via sea plane. From there he will be taking the road to reach Ambaji temple. His visit to the Ambaji temple was defined as "unique" by party president Amit Shah. Earlier in the day, Shah said: "Modi will take off in a seaplane from Sabarmati riverfront, land in Dharoi dam's pond and will proceed to the temple by road." Prime minister Modi "unique" visit was to promote tourism in the state. #PMModi reaches Dharoi Dam in #seaplane Read @ANI story | https://t.co/9Zgmo4Yx3Q pic.twitter.com/uSTfp3LBwU — ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 12, 2017 × #Visuals from Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha, to be visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/WJifctP0jp — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × #Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi boards sea plane from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to reach Dharoi Dam pic.twitter.com/MkbBZTYXFD — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × Sea plane takes off from Sabarmati river with PM Modi onboard, to reach Dharoi Dam pic.twitter.com/XQ5OgMBdxl — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × #WATCH: Sea plane takes off from Sabarmati river with PM Modi onboard, to reach Dharoi Dam pic.twitter.com/DeHpQX7UvV — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × His visit to the temple was announced after the state authorities cancelled the request of the roadshow made by BJP and Congress parties. The Gujarat police had turned down the request made by political parties citing law and order situation.

Watch: PM Modi visits Ambaji temple via sea plane

<p>As Prime Minister Narendra Modi soared into the clear Ahmedabad sky on a seaplane from the Sabarmati river marking a dramatic end to a gruelling election campaign, the flight created huge waves in Gujarat&#39;s politically turbulent waters.</p>

<p>The BJP was quick to hail it as a reflection of &quot;vikas&quot; ushered in by the party&#39;s governments in the state, while the Congress debunked its development claim.</p>

<p>&quot;This is a demonstration of &#39;vikas&#39;. The whole world is watching how development has taken a leap from the Sabarmati river,&quot; BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said.</p>

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<h5>If he wants to fly on a seaplane, there is nothing wrong about it. But the issue is not the seaplane...It is the distraction (from the real issues). The question is what has been done for Gujarat in the last 22 years?&#39; said Rahul Gandhi</h5>
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<p>Congress&#39;s president designate Rahul Gandhi was, however, not impressed.</p>

<p>&quot;If he wants to fly on a seaplane, there is nothing wrong about it. But the issue is not the seaplane...It is the distraction (from the real issues). The question is what has been done for Gujarat in the last 22 years,&quot; he told a press conference in Ahmedabad.</p>

<p>Modi ended the campaign for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls in style as he took a seaplane ride from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in north Gujarat, and returned after offering prayers at the famous Ambaji Temple and holding a road show.</p>

<p>He boarded the single-engine seaplane from near the Sardar Bridge connecting the old city with Ahmedabad west and flew to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district.</p>

<p>Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani claimed it was the first time a seaplane landed on a water body in the country.</p>

<p>Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala mocked Modi&#39;s ride and the BJP&#39;s claim of it being a reflection of development.</p>

<p>&quot;Vikas ki baatein unko na bhai, kehte hain unko hawa hawai. (They don&#39;t like the talk of development. These are people who engage in empty talk),&quot; he tweeted in Hindi, in a parody of the &#39;Hawa Hawai&#39; song from hit Bollywood flick &#39;Mr India&#39;.</p>

<p>Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed the Congress for criticising Modi&#39;s seaplane ride, and said the previous Congress rule was marked by &quot;choppers scam&quot;.</p>

<p>BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said,&quot;The very talk of development hassles them. The people of Gujarat are happy about the bullet train project, but they (the Congress) are &#39;pareshan&#39; about it.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">Also read: Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-one-can-lamely-question-my-public-service-manmohan-to-modi-on-pak-meddling-allegations-26463" target="_blank">No one can lamely question my public service: Manmohan to Modi on Pak meddling allegations</a></p>

<p>The ride, however, was a hit among the locals who chanted &quot;Modi! Modi!&quot; as the craft took off from the Sardar Bridge-end on the Sabarmati riverfront, which the BJP dispensation has been flaunting as a manifestation of development under Modi when he was the state&#39;s chief minister.</p>

<p>From Dharoi dam site, the prime minister reached the temple by road after covering a distance of around 50 km. He was greeted by the people of Ambaji town during a roadshow that stretched from the outskirts of the temple town to near the shrine.</p>

<p>The prime minister apparently chose to fly by the seaplane to end his campaign in style after the Ahmedabad district administration yesterday cancelled the roadshows by both Modi and Rahul Gandhi for logistical reasons.</p>

<p>Modi told an election rally yesterday that for the first time in the history of the country a seaplane would land on the Sabarmati river.</p>

<p>Rupani had said it was for the first time in the country&#39;s history that a seaplane would land on a water body and that would be the Sabarmati river.</p>

<p>However, Priyanka Chaturvedi, another Congress spokesperson, claimed seaplanes had been flown in the country in the past too. &quot;2010 in Andaman 2015 in Kerala. However let facts never come in the way of BJP and Modi&#39;s narrative,&quot; she tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi soared, in a seaplane, into a clear Ahmedabad sky from the Sabarmati river marking a dramatic end to a gruelling (and bitter) election campaign

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi soared into the clear Ahmedabad sky on a seaplane from the Sabarmati river marking a dramatic end to a gruelling election campaign, the flight created huge waves in Gujarat's politically turbulent waters. The BJP was quick to hail it as a reflection of "vikas" ushered in by the party's governments in the state, while the Congress debunked its development claim. "This is a demonstration of 'vikas'. The whole world is watching how development has taken a leap from the Sabarmati river," BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said. If he wants to fly on a seaplane, there is nothing wrong about it. But the issue is not the seaplane...It is the distraction (from the real issues). The question is what has been done for Gujarat in the last 22 years?' said Rahul Gandhi × Congress's president designate Rahul Gandhi was, however, not impressed. "If he wants to fly on a seaplane, there is nothing wrong about it. But the issue is not the seaplane...It is the distraction (from the real issues). The question is what has been done for Gujarat in the last 22 years," he told a press conference in Ahmedabad. Modi ended the campaign for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls in style as he took a seaplane ride from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in north Gujarat, and returned after offering prayers at the famous Ambaji Temple and holding a road show. He boarded the single-engine seaplane from near the Sardar Bridge connecting the old city with Ahmedabad west and flew to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani claimed it was the first time a seaplane landed on a water body in the country. Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala mocked Modi's ride and the BJP's claim of it being a reflection of development. "Vikas ki baatein unko na bhai, kehte hain unko hawa hawai. (They don't like the talk of development. These are people who engage in empty talk)," he tweeted in Hindi, in a parody of the 'Hawa Hawai' song from hit Bollywood flick 'Mr India'. Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed the Congress for criticising Modi's seaplane ride, and said the previous Congress rule was marked by "choppers scam". BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said,"The very talk of development hassles them. The people of Gujarat are happy about the bullet train project, but they (the Congress) are 'pareshan' about it." Also read: Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections No one can lamely question my public service: Manmohan to Modi on Pak meddling allegations The ride, however, was a hit among the locals who chanted "Modi! Modi!" as the craft took off from the Sardar Bridge-end on the Sabarmati riverfront, which the BJP dispensation has been flaunting as a manifestation of development under Modi when he was the state's chief minister. From Dharoi dam site, the prime minister reached the temple by road after covering a distance of around 50 km. He was greeted by the people of Ambaji town during a roadshow that stretched from the outskirts of the temple town to near the shrine. The prime minister apparently chose to fly by the seaplane to end his campaign in style after the Ahmedabad district administration yesterday cancelled the roadshows by both Modi and Rahul Gandhi for logistical reasons. Modi told an election rally yesterday that for the first time in the history of the country a seaplane would land on the Sabarmati river. Rupani had said it was for the first time in the country's history that a seaplane would land on a water body and that would be the Sabarmati river. However, Priyanka Chaturvedi, another Congress spokesperson, claimed seaplanes had been flown in the country in the past too. "2010 in Andaman 2015 in Kerala. However let facts never come in the way of BJP and Modi's narrative," she tweeted.

Gujarat elections: PM makes splash with seaplane ride to mark end of campaign

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