Tags:
Journalism of Courage
When diamond merchant Jeevraj Dharukawala bought a 15-seater G-4 Gulfstream in the United States earlier this year, people thought he would use it to glide through his political career. But six months later, the aircraft stands neatly parked in the family hangar, strictly for the Dharukawalas8217; personal use.
Dharukawala is a member of the Sardar Patel Utkarsh Samiti, an anti-Narendra Modi platform for BJP dissidents. Dharukawala has himself attended rebels meetings, including the one held at the residence of former chief minister Suresh Mehta in Gandhinagar sometime ago. Dharukawala is reported to be close to Modi8217;s bete noir Keshubhai Patel.
Dharukawala, a former vice president of the state unit of the BJP, said, 8220;The question of using the aircraft for political purposes does not arise at all as I am no longer active in politics.8221; He said his son Bhupen Surani, who looks after the family business in Hong Kong, bought the jet as his job involves a lot of travelling.
8220;Since our company is closed for Diwali and the Hindu New Year, my son has come to India to spend some time with us,8221; said Dharukawala. And since Bhupen had brought his jet along, the family has decided to put it to use. 8220;A few days ago, we visited Tirupati. Next we plan to visit the four 8216;dhaams8217;8212;Badrinath, Haridwar, Jagannath and Dwarika,8221; said Dharukawala.
