Birthday blessings for PM Narendra Modi at mom's feet

AHMEDABAD: For PM Narendra Modi, celebrating his 66th birthday in Gujarat would mean seeking blessings of his mother, and his motherland which goes to polls next year.
"Sweet welcome in mom's lap", said the banner put in the backdrop of the dais at the airport where Modi was welcomed by top BJP leaders including CM Vijay Rupani, Anandiben patel, Union minister Parsottam Rupala, and state BJP president Jitu Vaghani.
On Saturday, Modi is expected to begin his day by seeking blessings of his 97-year-old mother Hiraba who loves to feed him home-made sweets like sukhdi and kansar. Though there is no official intimation, Modi is also expected to meet his brother Prahlad Modi who recently lost his young daughter to a heart ailment. Modi is expected to offer condolences.
Meanwhile, there was lot of action on the ground as the PM landed in Gujarat which has been battling protests by Patidars and dalits. In Ahmedabad, dalit leader Jignesh Mevani was detained. A top Gujarat police official said that based on some inputs they detained Mevani and he would be allowed to go once his statement is recorded. Some Patidar leaders were also placed under detention as a preventive measure.
Cops in Dahod and Navsari were on their toes after Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) threatened protests. Central Gujarat PAAS convener Uday Patel and two others were detained.
Over 5,000 police personnel, central and state intelligence agencies and paramilitary forces were deployed across the city.
Police sources said special teams of the crime branch were formed to keep PAAS and dalit leaders away from the airport and also along the route to the Raj Bhavan.