Cong plays Kathiawadi card in Surat

The official order of Jirawala’s appointment came on Monday.

Among the 114 municipal corporators in Surat Municipal Corporation,Congress has only 13 corporators while BJP has 100. Congress could not grab a single assembly or parliamentary seat in Surat.

Keeping in mind the status of Congress in Surat,the party high command had decided to give the important post to a Saurashtrian community man,said experts in the party.

Ashok Patel alias Ashok Jirawala is a graduate and associated with different wings of Congress in Surat since long. He was a Sewa Dal worker in 1982. He became executive committee member of Youth Congress in 1985. He was vice-president of Surat district Youth Congress Committee from 1994 to 2002.

Jirawala is also associated with several other organisations like – he is president of Federation Gujarat Weavers Association,president of Varachha Kapodara Weavers Association,vice-president of Akhil Bhartiya Manav Sewa Samithi,president of Maninagar Cooperative Housing Society,Nana Varachha,Trustee of Yoga Sports and Adventure Association,and a member of Samast Patidar Samaj Trust.

jirawala said,“I am happy that the party high command had elected me as an eligible candidate for the post. I got good support from my party supporters. I will work hard for the betterment of the party in the city.”

The former district Congress president,Shambhu Prajapati,said,“The decision to give responsibilities on the shoulder of Saurashtrian community man was taken by party high command. We believe that it will help to woo the voters belong to the community.”

Another former district Congress president Sunil Bhukhanwala said,“Ashok Jirawala’s name is not new to the party leaders and workers. He had played an important role when the textile industry was passing through a crucial period of disputes between labourers and factory owners. We believe that he can make a change in the mindset of voters in the city through his clear image.”