Narendra Modi's 'Saffron' run for unity has its notes on huge success.

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Modi and BJP ramp up election race with ‘Run for Unity’

Series of events to drum up support for Sardar Patel statue in Gujarat

Darshan Desai | The Hindu | Vadodara | Dec 16, 2013:: Seeking by all accounts to boost his prospects in the next general elections, Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a ‘Run for Unity’ here in central Gujarat, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party simultaneously sought to replicate it in hundreds of other venues across the country.

In doing so, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate gave a new dimension to his efforts to link the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to his own campaign in the run-up to 2014.

The run is aimed to drum up support for the Gujarat Chief Minister’s mega-project for the Statue of Unity, a monument of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel billed as the largest statue in the world, to come up at Sadhubet near the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The run marked the 63rd death anniversary of Sardar Patel. 

 According to State government sources, more than 40 lakh people participated in events at 1,100 places across India.

Flagging off the run here, Mr. Modi claimed India would come up as a superpower on the strong pillars of unity, good governance and people’s participation. “This is not a mere run; it is a public movement that certainly would lead India to reach the destination of a superpower,” he said.

The Chief Minister, who has been talking of inclusive development and been reaching out to the minority communities, on Sunday said India’s diversity is not its weakness but its distinguishing characteristic.

“Our diversity is not something that exists only on paper but it is our unique identity and a source of our tremendous strength,” Mr. Modi said. “It is the responsibility of our present and future generations strengthening India’s unity in her diversity.  Run for Unity is a drive towards patriotism and that it should not be seen as a part of politics,” he added.

Following the path of Sardar Patel’s message of unity, Gujarat had emerged as a model of development and like the State, India could also be a super power by uniting people, said Mr. Modi.

“This run is being organised with a determination to unite the people, unite the villages and unite the nation,” Mr. Modi said, claiming it was all about “patriotism”.

In Delhi, Ahmedabad

BJP president Rajnath Singh and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley flagged off the ‘Run for Unity’ from the party headquarters in Delhi. Senior party leader L.K. Advani participated in the programme in Ahmedabad. [Courtesy: The Hindu]. 

'Saffron' run for unity

Jaideep Deogharia | TNN | Ranchi/Jamshedpur |Dec 16, 2013:: In the run up to 2014 general elections, BJP managed to gather a huge crowd to support 'Run for Unity' on the occasion of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel's death anniversary on Sunday. In Jharkhand, hundreds of BJP supporters and public came together at 33 different points including all 24 district headquarters under the leadership of local BJP leaders and demonstrated their commitment towards the nation.

Member of national executive committee of the party for collection of iron tools, which will be used in constructing Patel's statue, Saryu Rai told journalists that the process of collecting iron tools would begin all over the country with Sunday's 'Run for Unity'. "Jharkhand is all set to collect maximum iron which will be used to build the world's tallest statue because the state is not just agrarian but has also showed its commitment towards nation building time and again," he said.

The run in Ranchi was flagged off by Rai along with former CM Arjun Munda, BJP state president Ravindra Rai and former Ranchi MP Ram Tahal Choudhary. Around 500 people including students, members of non-governmental organizations, professionals and party workers joined the run that started from Sainik Market and concluded at Albert Ekka Chowk on the Main Road covering a distance of 1km.

Addressing the gathering, Munda said India comprises people from different religions, castes and languages but when it comes to the nation's unity and integrity all are ready to stand in the same queue. "Run for Unity despite being anchored by BJP was aimed at showing the strength of unity to the world," he said explaining that the statue of unity would symbolize India's emergence as a global power.

Read the rest here. Courtesy: TOI.

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