Amit Shah, CM Vijay Rupani fly kites, take part in celebrations

BJP president Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief minister Vijay Rupani were among those who celebrated the festival of kites with fervour on Sunday.

The BJP president took part in Uttarayan festivities in his former assembly constituency Naranpura. He flew kites from the terrace of one of the homes. He was accompanied by revenue minister Kaushik Patel, city mayor Gautam Shah, and others.

Later in the day, Amit Shah visited the famous Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur with his family and sought blessings. A state government release said that Chief Minister Vijay Rupani celebrated Uttarayan by flying kites in 'pols' of Khadia, and Maninagar. He was accompanied by his wife Anjali Rupani, and BJP leaders and workers.

"Gujarat's development will soar high just like kites on Uttarayan, and achieve new heights in the coming years," the release quoted the chief minister as saying.

On Monday, a day after the festival, CM Rupani visited the Somnath temple along with his wife and offered prayers. This was his first visit to the temple since assuming charge as chief minister for the second time last month.

Other BJP leaders also took part in the Uttarayan festivities in Ahmedabad. The BJP said that its state president Jitu Vaghani celebrated the festival of kites along with former MLA Bhushan Bhatt in Khadia.

Minister of state for home, Pradipsinh Jadeja indulged in kite flying in Vastral, Ramol and Vatva, with BJP workers and local residents, a release said.