Civic body polls: BJP hits campaign trail, terms quota stir as proxy war by Congress

The Minister was addressing a public meeting of the ruling party in the city before its candidates filed their nomination papers for RMC elections. Polling for the civic body election is scheduled for November 22 and counting of vote will take place on December 2.

Water Supply Minister Vijay Rupani took a dig at the Congress and accused it of using the reservation agitation as a front. “Congress doesn’t have issues to raise. This time round, they have used reservation stir as a front. But they have been exposed. They (reservation agitation leaders) had met Siddharth Patel and (Shankersinh Vaghela). Their lawyer Mangukia is a Congress spokesperson and they stand unmasked now,” Rupani said while addressing the meeting.

Incidentally, call detail records of Patidar stir leader Hardik Patel and others have established that they were in touch with former Gujarat Congress chief Siddharth Patel and leader of opposition in Gujarat Assembly, Shankersinh Vaghela. Congress leader BM Mangukia has been representing Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convenor Hardik in cases being heard by Gujarat High Court. PAAS and leaders of Sardar Patel Group (SPG), another group leading the stir of Patidars demanding OBC status and reservation in government jobs for Patels have repeatedly appealed their community members to vote against the BJP in the ongoing local body polls.

Rupani further said that the BJP had given representation to 25 castes in the list of its 72 candidates for RMC elections. However, Bhikha Vasoya, president of Rajkot city unit of the BJP confirmed that 20 tickets had been awarded to Patidars alone. This was the highest number of tickets allocated to any community with Ahirs, Dalits and Brahmins coming second with seven each.

Of the 20 tickets given to Patidars, 15 have been awarded to Leuva Patels, a sub-caste of Patidars who are dominant in Rajkot city and Saurashra region in terms of voters. The remainig five have gone to Kadva Patels. However, the outgoing general board had 23 Patidar corporators.

“The number of Patidar candidates have gone down due to delimitation and 50 per cent reservation for women this election,” said Kashyap Shukla, general secretary of Rajkot city unit of the BJP.

While majority of BJP candidates filed their nomination papers on Friday, Congress could announce names of its 65 candidates only. The BJP leaders took potshots at the opposition over this “delay” in announcing candidates. “They are not even finding candidates where as we are confidence of our victory,” Rupani said.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Mohan Kundariya, Gujarat Minister of Sate for Tourism, Jayesh Radadiya, Rajkot Rural MLA Bhanu Babriya also addressed the meeting. Outgoing mayor Raksbha Boliya, who has been denied ticket to seek reelection was also present at the rally.