Gujarat Confidential: Row over meet

A coordination meeting to plan the way ahead for various empowerment schemes of the state under the Gujarat Pattern Sashaktikaran Yojana chaired by the District Collector of Narmada S K Modi turned into a political slugfest and controversy after a video of BJP MP from Bharuch Lok Sabha Mansukh Vasava became public, in which, he is seen purportedly chiding the Collector over the phone for “keeping him in the dark and out” of the meeting. Vasava, in the four-minute video, is seen questioning the intention of the District Collector and alleging that he had acted “under threat from the other side”, while demanding an explanation on how a coordination meeting for the government programmes could be held without the MP, in violation of the protocols. Mansukh Vasava is heard saying, “If you buckle under the threat from the other side, remember that Mansukh Vasava can give you a bigger threat… I will speak to the Chief Minister about this…” “Other side” being a reference to Aam Aadmi Party MLA Chaitar Vasava, who was released on bail earlier this week in the July 5 case of attempt to murder. Vasava was among those who attended the said meeting and sources in the district administration said that he had passed strict instructions to the administration to ensure that the CCTV cameras were functional along with appointing a videographer for the meeting. Vasava, who has been chargesheeted in a case of attempt to murder with the accusation of hurling a mobile phone and a glass at a BJP leader in during a meeting in the Dediapada prant office in July, also asked the administration to remove all glass materials from the meeting room so that he is “not trapped in another premeditated conspiracy”. District Collector S K Modi refused to comment on the matter.

Garba enthusiast

With Gujarat gripped by the Garba fever during the ongoing Navratri festival, Mahisagar District Superintendent of Police Safin Hasan could not resist an invite to participate in one day’s celebration at the Police Parade Ground in Godhra, Panchmahal with District SP Haresh Dudhat as well as Rajya Sabha MP Jashvantsinh Parmar. After performing the customary aarti, the dignitaries were seen grooving to the garba sung by popular artist Rajal Barot along with other police personnel and also interacting with students participating in the festivities. Earlier this week, Hasan also participated in the Garba celebrations at the police headquarters in Mahisagar. When posted in Ahmedabad too, Hasan was known as a garba enthusiast.