Four-time Junagadh parliamentarian Chikhaliya contesting civic polls

Chikhaliya filed her nomination paper for the JMC elections on Saturday.

Her move to contest the corporation elections has come under criticism by sections of society,who have said that it is in fact degradation for her. She was not given the ticket for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

In her reply,she has,however,said: “There is no question of degradation or any such thing. I am a faithful worker of the party and am simply obeying the party’s decision.”

She also stressed on the importance of civic elections and public interest in civic work.

“The Corporation is providing enough ground for the larger public interest. We are seeking the votes on the party’s credit,based on our previous performance,” she added.

She also criticised the Congress,saying that “it is a party of leaders,while ours is a party of workers.”

She said that Chief Minister Narendra Modi has announced a budgetary allocation of rupees 600 crore for the all-round development of Junagadh and the surrounding areas.

He wanted visionary persons who could shape development process,and picked up eminent people from the city as the party’s candidates for the JMC election,she added.