Citizens react with anger to CM8217;s US trip

AHMEDABAD, July 1: For a State already in mourning over the loss of her sons and with news of soldiers from Gujarat dying on the front tr...

AHMEDABAD, July 1: For a State already in mourning over the loss of her sons and with news of soldiers from Gujarat dying on the front trickling in with regular frequency, the visit of Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel to the United States could not have been more ill-timed. And citizens are making this amply clear.

The common man reacted with ire and cynicism to the fact that Patel has flown to Mumbai and is off to the US for a three-day trip to Philadelphia and New Jersey to inaugurate new chapters of the Gandhinagar-based Non-Resident Gujarati Federation.

8220;What is he doing in America at a time when his own State is under so much tension?8221; questioned autorickshaw driver Umesh Kishorlal. 8220;He is our CM, he should have been talking to us. Not some NRIs who are unconcerned about what is happening here,8221; he added. 8220;It is the totally corrupt moral fabric of politicians that is on display,8221; said a public school teacher, requesting anonymity. 8220;They are just not bothered about the men who are dying. Their children should be sent to fight on the borders. Only then will they feel the pain of losing someone they love and realise what a high price we are paying. This is not the first time, and Patel is not the only one. Earlier it was Pramod Mahajan going for a holiday. Totally irresponsible behaviour. That is why Indians have no respect for their leaders,8221; she fumed.

Jasubhai Kavi, principal of the Blind People8217;s Association, was an exception, willing to understand the Chief Minister8217;s actions. 8220;If it was a predecided programme the CM was right to go ahead with it. Work cannot stop. In my opinion there is nothing to worry about. The Prime Minister is in the country, the State Government is also functioning, if there is an emergency he can always fly back. At the moment his presence or absence will not make much difference to the situation,8221; said Kavi.

However, HSC student Hemant Panchal, who is visually impaired, begged to differ. 8220;He should have cancelled his visit. His presence is required more in Kutch and on other borders. There is a war in Kargil, our men are dying. This is not the time for visits abroad8221;.

Sangita Devi, secretary general, National Council for Civil Liberties, emphasised that Gujarat is a very sensitive State, Pakistan is too close for comfort. 8220;This is the time for the CM to address public meetings, visit the borders, boost the morale of the Army as well as the civilian population. Moral support is as important as financial help,8221; she said.

Cobbler Virbhai Rajabhai was keen to know why Keshubhai was not visiting the borders. 8220;Everybody has gone there, why not him?8221; he asked, adding, 8220;If something happens in Gujarat how will he return soon from the US.8221; Businessman Sunil Verma was forthcoming on what the people of a State expected from their CM in such crucial times. 8220;Definitely not a visit abroad,8221; he said, adding, 8220;He should go to the borders, meet soldiers, reassure the men. He should address meetings, organise rallies, tell the people of Gujarat they have nothing to fear8221;.