Congress leader asks Modi to fulfil promise of building Ram temple

"People have voted for you with great expectations. You will not be the PM of BJP but the PM of entire India. In 1984 it was two, now it is 282 and the credit goes to Narendra Bhai,"  Vaghela said, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Gujarat.

"Morarji Desai was an officer in Godhra and he was shifted after allegations of bias. You also worked as a pracharak (member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) in Godhra and Vadodara.," Vaghela said.

Taking a dig, Vaghela said, "I request you...since you have a majority, now deliver the promises you made in the manifesto like building a Ram temple within the Constitutional framework. It is time to walk the talk."

Narendra Modi on Wednesday filed his resignation from the post of Gujarat Chief Minister to state Governor Kamla Beniwal.

Modi arrived at the Governor's residence shortly after 3 pm and met the governor to tender his resignation.

Gujarat Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel, 72, is the front-runner to replace him in the state, media reports said.

Earlier in the day, Modi bid farewell to the Gujarat Assembly after serving as the State’s chief minister for 12 consecutive years.

Delivering an emotional and nostalgic address, the four-time Chief Minister thanked the legislators for their support, including the Opposition for its constructive criticism.

“I have a big responsibility ahead. Your wishes give me inspiration and strength. This is my fourth term as [chief minister]. I have learnt a lot in this house. One may get fame and countless tributes from everywhere, but when one’s own people honour you it has a different meaning,” Modi said.

Modi also reached out to the Opposition, praising former chief minister and senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela, saying “Though we shared a thick friendship at a personal level, Mr. Vaghela performed his duty when he was in the Opposition. We all have to fulfil our duty.”

Modi said that his job ahead reflected the time when he took over Gujarat
when it was rocked by an earthquake, battered by cyclones and the urban cooperative banks were in the doldrums.

“Today the world is asking what this development model of Gujarat is. Modi’s success lies not in bringing development to Gujarat, but in continuing the development journey despite his absence. Gujarat will progress more rapidly,” he said.

The PM-in-waiting stressed on the need to build strong and effective institutions and systems to deliver good governance.

“Ideas should be institutionalised so that people can come and go, but systems go on and respond automatically. After independence, India built many good institutions, but they fell in a State of ruin. In Gujarat, we made efforts to strengthen institutions,” Modi said.

Modi received a resounding applause from the House, while leaders, including Vaghela and former chief minister Keshubhai Patel presented Modi with shawls.

Modi also met and thanked the Vidhan Sabha staff.