News Analysis India

Tag: Gujarat Elections

  • No one, on behalf govt resigned or apologised after Morbi Bridge Collapse: P Chidambaram

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: Senior Congress Leader P Chidambaram blamed the Centre on Tuesday over the Morbi bridge collapse in poll-bound Gujarat.

    Pointing out that Gujarat is governed from Delhi and not by the chief minister, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram today while addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad said “Morbi Bridge Collapse has brought shame to the fair name of Gujarat… The most shocking development is that no one, on behalf of the government, has apologized for the tragedy. No one has resigned taking responsibility.”

    “The High Court of Gujarat has issued notice to the government. I hope the High Court will raise these questions and also other questions and get the answers,” he said.

    Taking a dig at Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) government in Gujarat P. Chidambaram said “The BJP government has been in office continuously since 1998. The current legislative assembly was elected in 2017. In the last six years of the BJP government, there have been three chief ministers – a clear indictment of the performance of the outgoing chief minister. If the elections were held in 2023, it is quite possible that  Bhupendra Patel would also be shown the door.”

    P. Chidambaram also target BJP high command by saying, “The reason for revolving door chief ministers is quite simple: Gujarat is not being governed from Ahmedabad, it is governed from Delhi. Gujarat is not governed by the Chief Minister, it is governed by the duo of  Narendra Modi-Shri Amit Shah. Gujarat is a vassal state of Delhi.”

    Chidambaram also slammed BJP’s double-engine slogan “ The boast of a double-engine government is an empty boast. Gujarat is a single bullock cart that is trudging on a mud path leaving behind vast sections of the people, especially the Scheduled Tribes, women, the youth and the poor.”

    Chidambaram claimed Behind the illusion of high growth, prosperity and social harmony there are ugly facts that are carefully hidden but that are well known to the people of Gujarat. As per the last published data, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 29 (per 1000 live births). The Under Five Mortality Rate is 31.

    The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is 75 (per 1,00,000 live births). Retail food inflation in Gujarat is among the highest in the country. According to reports, it was 11.5 per cent in August 2022. According to CMIE data, the unemployment rate among youth aged 20-24 years in Gujarat is 12.49 per cent.

    “Unemployment among the uneducated youth and low-education youth is extremely high. For example, the state government received 17 lakh applications for 3400 posts of Talati. The average wage rate in Gujarat is among the lowest in the country. For example, the wage of the construction worker in Gujarat is Rs 285 a day,” said Chidambaram.

    Chidambaram also ask the Gujarat people to change government this time. “Any government and any party will be answerable and accountable to the people only if there is the fear of losing an election. That is why in all mature parliamentary democracies, the people change the government every few years or after a few terms.”

    AHMEDABAD: Senior Congress Leader P Chidambaram blamed the Centre on Tuesday over the Morbi bridge collapse in poll-bound Gujarat.

    Pointing out that Gujarat is governed from Delhi and not by the chief minister, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram today while addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad said “Morbi Bridge Collapse has brought shame to the fair name of Gujarat… The most shocking development is that no one, on behalf of the government, has apologized for the tragedy. No one has resigned taking responsibility.”

    “The High Court of Gujarat has issued notice to the government. I hope the High Court will raise these questions and also other questions and get the answers,” he said.

    Taking a dig at Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) government in Gujarat P. Chidambaram said “The BJP government has been in office continuously since 1998. The current legislative assembly was elected in 2017. In the last six years of the BJP government, there have been three chief ministers – a clear indictment of the performance of the outgoing chief minister. If the elections were held in 2023, it is quite possible that  Bhupendra Patel would also be shown the door.”

    P. Chidambaram also target BJP high command by saying, “The reason for revolving door chief ministers is quite simple: Gujarat is not being governed from Ahmedabad, it is governed from Delhi. Gujarat is not governed by the Chief Minister, it is governed by the duo of  Narendra Modi-Shri Amit Shah. Gujarat is a vassal state of Delhi.”

    Chidambaram also slammed BJP’s double-engine slogan “ The boast of a double-engine government is an empty boast. Gujarat is a single bullock cart that is trudging on a mud path leaving behind vast sections of the people, especially the Scheduled Tribes, women, the youth and the poor.”

    Chidambaram claimed Behind the illusion of high growth, prosperity and social harmony there are ugly facts that are carefully hidden but that are well known to the people of Gujarat. As per the last published data, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 29 (per 1000 live births). The Under Five Mortality Rate is 31.

    The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is 75 (per 1,00,000 live births). Retail food inflation in Gujarat is among the highest in the country. According to reports, it was 11.5 per cent in August 2022. According to CMIE data, the unemployment rate among youth aged 20-24 years in Gujarat is 12.49 per cent.

    “Unemployment among the uneducated youth and low-education youth is extremely high. For example, the state government received 17 lakh applications for 3400 posts of Talati. The average wage rate in Gujarat is among the lowest in the country. For example, the wage of the construction worker in Gujarat is Rs 285 a day,” said Chidambaram.

    Chidambaram also ask the Gujarat people to change government this time. “Any government and any party will be answerable and accountable to the people only if there is the fear of losing an election. That is why in all mature parliamentary democracies, the people change the government every few years or after a few terms.”

  • Gujarat Polls: AAP candidates being decided by BJP, alleges Congress

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Saturday alleged that the AAP was working in collusion with the BJP for the upcoming Gujarat assembly polls and that the candidates of Arvind Kejriwal’s outfit were being decided by the saffron party.

    Former Gujarat MLA Indranil Rajguru, who quit the Aam Aadmi Party to rejoin the Congress on Friday, said he was asking for tickets for 15 AAP leaders who were in a strong position to win but tickets were being given to candidates “who could help the BJP in the polls.”

    “I took a stand against this because I had joined AAP to defeat the BJP, not the Congress. I was told, ‘don’t be stubborn.’ The list comes from Kamalam (BJP office in Gujarat),” Rajguru claimed on Saturday at a press conference at the AICC headquarters here.

    Rajguru, who had joined the AAP after quitting the Congress in April this year, returned to the grand old party, citing that it was the best option for defeating the BJP in Gujarat. Rajguru also alleged that on October 1 when both AAP chief ministers — Delhi’s Arvind’s Kejriwal and Punjab’s Bhagwant Mann — came to Rajkot together in a chartered plane, they brought bags of cash with them.

    He said when he asked where the cash came from, it was gestured to him that it came by plane. Rajguru, however, did not substantiate his allegation.

    AICC in-charge of Gujarat Raghu Sharma alleged collusion between the BJP and AAP for the assembly polls and asked how it is possible to “bring cash in a chartered plane” without the knowledge of the Centre.

    Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera said Rajguru became disillusioned with AAP and rejoined the Congress within months of leaving it.

    “When we call them (AAP) the B-team of the BJP. Why do they get upset?” he said. These are serious charges and need to be answered by AAP and “their masters”, the BJP, Khera said.

    Rajguru had on Friday joined the Congress in the presence of AICC Gujarat in-charge Raghu Sharma, Gujarat Congress chief Jagdish Thakor, Congress legislature party leader Sukhram Rathava and other senior leaders.

    The Congress is seeking to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the government in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the saffron party has been in power for more than two decades.

    Elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held in two phases — December 1 and 5 — and the votes will be counted on December 8.READ | Gujarat: AAP to make election fight more difficult in seats won by lowest margin in 2017

    NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Saturday alleged that the AAP was working in collusion with the BJP for the upcoming Gujarat assembly polls and that the candidates of Arvind Kejriwal’s outfit were being decided by the saffron party.

    Former Gujarat MLA Indranil Rajguru, who quit the Aam Aadmi Party to rejoin the Congress on Friday, said he was asking for tickets for 15 AAP leaders who were in a strong position to win but tickets were being given to candidates “who could help the BJP in the polls.”

    “I took a stand against this because I had joined AAP to defeat the BJP, not the Congress. I was told, ‘don’t be stubborn.’ The list comes from Kamalam (BJP office in Gujarat),” Rajguru claimed on Saturday at a press conference at the AICC headquarters here.

    Rajguru, who had joined the AAP after quitting the Congress in April this year, returned to the grand old party, citing that it was the best option for defeating the BJP in Gujarat. Rajguru also alleged that on October 1 when both AAP chief ministers — Delhi’s Arvind’s Kejriwal and Punjab’s Bhagwant Mann — came to Rajkot together in a chartered plane, they brought bags of cash with them.

    He said when he asked where the cash came from, it was gestured to him that it came by plane. Rajguru, however, did not substantiate his allegation.

    AICC in-charge of Gujarat Raghu Sharma alleged collusion between the BJP and AAP for the assembly polls and asked how it is possible to “bring cash in a chartered plane” without the knowledge of the Centre.

    Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera said Rajguru became disillusioned with AAP and rejoined the Congress within months of leaving it.

    “When we call them (AAP) the B-team of the BJP. Why do they get upset?” he said. These are serious charges and need to be answered by AAP and “their masters”, the BJP, Khera said.

    Rajguru had on Friday joined the Congress in the presence of AICC Gujarat in-charge Raghu Sharma, Gujarat Congress chief Jagdish Thakor, Congress legislature party leader Sukhram Rathava and other senior leaders.

    The Congress is seeking to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the government in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the saffron party has been in power for more than two decades.

    Elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held in two phases — December 1 and 5 — and the votes will be counted on December 8.READ | Gujarat: AAP to make election fight more difficult in seats won by lowest margin in 2017

  • Gujarat elections: Aam Aadmi Party announces 21 candidates in 11th list

    By Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: On Saturday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) declared 21 candidates in its 11th list for the upcoming Assembly elections in Gujarat, which are to be held on December 1 and 5.

    The party has declared 139 candidates so far.

    AAP has fielded Dr Bhim Patel from Vav constituency, Kuvarji Thakor from Viramgam, Sanjay Mori from Thakkarbapa Nagar, Rajeshbhai Dixit from Bapunagar, Kiran Patel from Daskroi, Jattuba Gol from Dholka, and Vagjibhai Patel from Dhangadhra.

    ALSO READ | Gujarat: AAP to make election fight more difficult in seven seats won by lowest margin in 2017

    As per the list announced by AAP, other names are Karsanbapu Bhadrak from Manavadar, Kantibhai Satasiya from Dhari, Bharat Nakrani from Savarkundla, Ashok Joliya from Mahuva (Amreli), Laluben Narsibhai Chauhan from Talaja, Ramesh Parmar from Gadhada, and Bharatsinh Chavda from Khambhat.

    AAP announced the candidate for Sojitra seat is Manubhai Thakor, for Limkheda is Naresh Punabhai Bariya, for Padra is Jaydeepsinh Chauhan, for Vagra is Jayraj Singh, for Ankleshwar is Ankur Patel, Mangrol (Bardoli) candidate is Snehal Vasava, and Moxesh Sanghvi will fight the Surat West seat.

    AHMEDABAD: On Saturday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) declared 21 candidates in its 11th list for the upcoming Assembly elections in Gujarat, which are to be held on December 1 and 5.

    The party has declared 139 candidates so far.

    AAP has fielded Dr Bhim Patel from Vav constituency, Kuvarji Thakor from Viramgam, Sanjay Mori from Thakkarbapa Nagar, Rajeshbhai Dixit from Bapunagar, Kiran Patel from Daskroi, Jattuba Gol from Dholka, and Vagjibhai Patel from Dhangadhra.

    ALSO READ | Gujarat: AAP to make election fight more difficult in seven seats won by lowest margin in 2017

    As per the list announced by AAP, other names are Karsanbapu Bhadrak from Manavadar, Kantibhai Satasiya from Dhari, Bharat Nakrani from Savarkundla, Ashok Joliya from Mahuva (Amreli), Laluben Narsibhai Chauhan from Talaja, Ramesh Parmar from Gadhada, and Bharatsinh Chavda from Khambhat.

    AAP announced the candidate for Sojitra seat is Manubhai Thakor, for Limkheda is Naresh Punabhai Bariya, for Padra is Jaydeepsinh Chauhan, for Vagra is Jayraj Singh, for Ankleshwar is Ankur Patel, Mangrol (Bardoli) candidate is Snehal Vasava, and Moxesh Sanghvi will fight the Surat West seat.

  • Ex-journalist Isudan Gadhvi is AAP’s CM face for Gujarat assembly elections

    By Online Desk

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has declared Isudan Gadhvi as their chief ministerial candidate for the Gujarat assembly elections. 

    The announcement was made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who said the 40-year-old Gadhvi got as many as 73 per cent votes in a poll conducted by the party. Kejriwal said the party conducted the poll by asking people to call a phone number and listen to a recorded message which asked them to choose their chief ministerial face.

    Gadhvi was pitted against state party unit chief Gopal Italia, who played a key role in the Patidar community agitation.

    Gadhvi is AAP’s National Joint General Secretary and a member of its National Executive team. 

    A well-known TV journalist, Gadhvi was the former editor of VTV News and used to anchor the channel’s popular news show Mahamanthan.

    He hails from a farmers’ family in Dwarka district’s Pipaliya village and belongs to the other backward castes, which account for 48 per cent of the state’s population.

    Elections to the 182-member state assembly will take place over two phases on December 1 and 5, the Election Commission announced on Thursday in the backdrop of the Morbi bridge collapse four days ago.

    All eyes are on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal as well as his party leaders who have made a high decibel entry into the field, giving voters a third option in a state that has for decades been bipolar in its politics.

    AAP is stirring interest with its aggressive campaigning and long list of attractive pre-poll “guarantees”.

    The AAP is banking on ‘welfarism’, the fact that it is a new alternative and its stress on day to day people issues to woo voters.

    OPINION | One disruptor and two old foes perk up Gujarat polls

    Kejriwal has anchored his party’s campaign around a slew of sops, including 300 units of free electricity per month, free education in government schools, unemployment dole, Rs 1,000 allowance to women and monthly stipend to new lawyers.

    The party began campaigning much ahead of the BJP and other parties.

    The 10-year-old outfit has also left other parties far behind as far as announcement of candidates are concerned.

    So far, the AAP, which is likely to contest all 182 seats, has announced names of candidates for 73 Assembly segments.

    The BJP has 111 seats and the Congress 62 in the current assembly. The NCP has one, BTP two, Independent one and five seats are vacant, including three after Congress MLAs resigned.

    The elections are crucial for BJP, which has won six successive terms and aims at retaining power in Modi’s home state, as well as for AAP, hoping desperately that a win in Gujarat will propel it to a pan-India political force, the third state in its bag after Delhi and a victory in Punjab in March this year.

    The Congress, on its part, hopes to end its 27-year stint in the Opposition but has so far been quiet with its national leaders conspicuous by their absence.

    READ HERE | Bridge collapse to Bilkis Bano convicts’ remission: Top issues in Gujarat Assembly elections

    (With PTI inputs)

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has declared Isudan Gadhvi as their chief ministerial candidate for the Gujarat assembly elections. 

    The announcement was made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who said the 40-year-old Gadhvi got as many as 73 per cent votes in a poll conducted by the party. Kejriwal said the party conducted the poll by asking people to call a phone number and listen to a recorded message which asked them to choose their chief ministerial face.

    Gadhvi was pitted against state party unit chief Gopal Italia, who played a key role in the Patidar community agitation.

    Gadhvi is AAP’s National Joint General Secretary and a member of its National Executive team. 

    A well-known TV journalist, Gadhvi was the former editor of VTV News and used to anchor the channel’s popular news show Mahamanthan.

    He hails from a farmers’ family in Dwarka district’s Pipaliya village and belongs to the other backward castes, which account for 48 per cent of the state’s population.

    Elections to the 182-member state assembly will take place over two phases on December 1 and 5, the Election Commission announced on Thursday in the backdrop of the Morbi bridge collapse four days ago.

    All eyes are on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal as well as his party leaders who have made a high decibel entry into the field, giving voters a third option in a state that has for decades been bipolar in its politics.

    AAP is stirring interest with its aggressive campaigning and long list of attractive pre-poll “guarantees”.

    The AAP is banking on ‘welfarism’, the fact that it is a new alternative and its stress on day to day people issues to woo voters.

    OPINION | One disruptor and two old foes perk up Gujarat polls

    Kejriwal has anchored his party’s campaign around a slew of sops, including 300 units of free electricity per month, free education in government schools, unemployment dole, Rs 1,000 allowance to women and monthly stipend to new lawyers.

    The party began campaigning much ahead of the BJP and other parties.

    The 10-year-old outfit has also left other parties far behind as far as announcement of candidates are concerned.

    So far, the AAP, which is likely to contest all 182 seats, has announced names of candidates for 73 Assembly segments.

    The BJP has 111 seats and the Congress 62 in the current assembly. The NCP has one, BTP two, Independent one and five seats are vacant, including three after Congress MLAs resigned.

    The elections are crucial for BJP, which has won six successive terms and aims at retaining power in Modi’s home state, as well as for AAP, hoping desperately that a win in Gujarat will propel it to a pan-India political force, the third state in its bag after Delhi and a victory in Punjab in March this year.

    The Congress, on its part, hopes to end its 27-year stint in the Opposition but has so far been quiet with its national leaders conspicuous by their absence.

    READ HERE | Bridge collapse to Bilkis Bano convicts’ remission: Top issues in Gujarat Assembly elections

    (With PTI inputs)

  • SWOT analysis: BJP eyeing seventh straight win in Gujarat

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: The Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) will battle anti-incumbency and slug it out with traditional rival Congress and aggressive new player Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) in the next month’s high-octane Assembly elections in Gujarat.

    After winning Gujarat for a record six times in a row since 1995, here is a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the BJP in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

    STRENGTHS:

    *The mass appeal of Prime Minister Modi who remains BJP’s trump card.

    *BJP is banking on its outreach to the Patidars after facing the community’s ire in the 2017 polls over the quota agitation.

    Its decision to make Bhupendra Patel chief minister in September last year and bring the quota stir spearhead Hardik Patel into its fold may work in the party’s favour.

    *The Gujarat unit of the BJP has a formidable organisational setup till the booth level.

    *The ruling party is counting on the plank of Hindutva, development and ‘double engine’ growth.

    Home Minister Shah, considered a master strategist, has been overseeing the preparations.

    READ HERE | Bridge collapse to Bilkis Bano convicts’ remission: Top issues in Gujarat Assembly elections

    WEAKNESSES:

    *The BJP lacks a strong local leader who can fill Prime Minister Modi’s shoes.

    Gujarat had three chief ministers including the incumbent Bhupendra Patel since 2014 after Modi became prime minister.

    Modi was chief minister for 13 years.

    *Besides facing allegations of corruption in the state levelled by the AAP and Congress, the party may face heat on issues like inflation, unemployment and economic distress.

    *AAP’s aggressive campaign has sought to pick holes in the state’s education system and health infrastructure.

    OPPORTUNITIES:

    *A weak opposition could present the BJP with a chance to win seven Assembly elections in a row and match the CPI-M-led Left Front’s feat in West Bengal.

    *The main opposition Congress appears to be missing from the campaign with party leaders apparently preoccupied with Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    *If the BJP is able to halt AAP’s march in Gujarat by restricting it to less than five seats in the 182-member Assembly, it has a chance to limit the Arvind Kejriwal-led party’s ambitions to emerge as the main challenger at the national level.

    THREATS:

    *The recent bridge collapse in Morbi in which 135 people were killed may have an impact on BJP’s electoral fortunes.

    *Infighting within BJP has largely been kept under wraps due to strong central leadership, but a defeat may see the fissures come out in the open.

    *In the event of a hung Assembly, the ruling party may find it difficult to find an ally to cobble a majority.

    *If the AAP manages to win in some places, it could pose a challenge to the BJP.

    The saffron party’s seat tally has been declining in each election since 2002.

    It won 127 seats in 2002, 117 in 2007, 116 in 2012 and 99 in 2017.

    AHMEDABAD: The Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) will battle anti-incumbency and slug it out with traditional rival Congress and aggressive new player Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) in the next month’s high-octane Assembly elections in Gujarat.

    After winning Gujarat for a record six times in a row since 1995, here is a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the BJP in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

    STRENGTHS:

    *The mass appeal of Prime Minister Modi who remains BJP’s trump card.

    *BJP is banking on its outreach to the Patidars after facing the community’s ire in the 2017 polls over the quota agitation.

    Its decision to make Bhupendra Patel chief minister in September last year and bring the quota stir spearhead Hardik Patel into its fold may work in the party’s favour.

    *The Gujarat unit of the BJP has a formidable organisational setup till the booth level.

    *The ruling party is counting on the plank of Hindutva, development and ‘double engine’ growth.

    Home Minister Shah, considered a master strategist, has been overseeing the preparations.

    READ HERE | Bridge collapse to Bilkis Bano convicts’ remission: Top issues in Gujarat Assembly elections

    WEAKNESSES:

    *The BJP lacks a strong local leader who can fill Prime Minister Modi’s shoes.

    Gujarat had three chief ministers including the incumbent Bhupendra Patel since 2014 after Modi became prime minister.

    Modi was chief minister for 13 years.

    *Besides facing allegations of corruption in the state levelled by the AAP and Congress, the party may face heat on issues like inflation, unemployment and economic distress.

    *AAP’s aggressive campaign has sought to pick holes in the state’s education system and health infrastructure.

    OPPORTUNITIES:

    *A weak opposition could present the BJP with a chance to win seven Assembly elections in a row and match the CPI-M-led Left Front’s feat in West Bengal.

    *The main opposition Congress appears to be missing from the campaign with party leaders apparently preoccupied with Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    *If the BJP is able to halt AAP’s march in Gujarat by restricting it to less than five seats in the 182-member Assembly, it has a chance to limit the Arvind Kejriwal-led party’s ambitions to emerge as the main challenger at the national level.

    THREATS:

    *The recent bridge collapse in Morbi in which 135 people were killed may have an impact on BJP’s electoral fortunes.

    *Infighting within BJP has largely been kept under wraps due to strong central leadership, but a defeat may see the fissures come out in the open.

    *In the event of a hung Assembly, the ruling party may find it difficult to find an ally to cobble a majority.

    *If the AAP manages to win in some places, it could pose a challenge to the BJP.

    The saffron party’s seat tally has been declining in each election since 2002.

    It won 127 seats in 2002, 117 in 2007, 116 in 2012 and 99 in 2017.

  • Will win Gujarat polls; AAP only in air, not on ground: Rahul

    The Congress MP said there was a massive anti-incumbency against the BJP government in Gujarat and that his party will win the upcoming election in the state.

  • Former Gujarat CM’s son Mahendrasinh Vaghela rejoins Congress five years later

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Mahendrasinh Vaghela, son of former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, joined the Congress on Friday, ahead of the state Assembly election.

    The 58-year-old former MLA was welcomed into the fold by Gujarat Congress president Jagdish Thakor at the party headquarters here.

    The development has come ahead of the state Assembly election, which is expected to be held by December.

    Talking to reporters, Mahendrasinh said he was joining the Congress without any expectations and will fight the polls if the party wants.

    Mahendrasinh, who was a Congress MLA from Bayad in north Gujarat between 2012 and 2017, had quit the party in August 2017, a few months before the Assembly elections, and later joined the BJP.

    “The party leadership will decide whether I fight the polls or not. I have joined the Congress without any expectations. I had quit the BJP immediately after joining because I was not comfortable and that was the reason why I had not attended any of their events,” he said.

    Mahendrasinh was one of the eight Congress MLAs, including his father Shankersinh, who had cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls in favour of the BJP candidate in August 2017 and later resigned from the party.

    Despite the cross-voting, Congress candidate late Ahmed Patel won the election by defeating the BJP’s Balwantsinh Rajput.

    Notably, Mahendrasinh had not contested the 2017 state Assembly election.

    Mahendrasinh joined the ruling BJP in July 2018 and resigned in October, barely three months after joining the fold.

    Without elaborating much about his sudden decision to quit the party, he had stated at the time in his resignation letter that he was resigning due to some “personal reasons”.

    AHMEDABAD: Mahendrasinh Vaghela, son of former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, joined the Congress on Friday, ahead of the state Assembly election.

    The 58-year-old former MLA was welcomed into the fold by Gujarat Congress president Jagdish Thakor at the party headquarters here.

    The development has come ahead of the state Assembly election, which is expected to be held by December.

    Talking to reporters, Mahendrasinh said he was joining the Congress without any expectations and will fight the polls if the party wants.

    Mahendrasinh, who was a Congress MLA from Bayad in north Gujarat between 2012 and 2017, had quit the party in August 2017, a few months before the Assembly elections, and later joined the BJP.

    “The party leadership will decide whether I fight the polls or not. I have joined the Congress without any expectations. I had quit the BJP immediately after joining because I was not comfortable and that was the reason why I had not attended any of their events,” he said.

    Mahendrasinh was one of the eight Congress MLAs, including his father Shankersinh, who had cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls in favour of the BJP candidate in August 2017 and later resigned from the party.

    Despite the cross-voting, Congress candidate late Ahmed Patel won the election by defeating the BJP’s Balwantsinh Rajput.

    Notably, Mahendrasinh had not contested the 2017 state Assembly election.

    Mahendrasinh joined the ruling BJP in July 2018 and resigned in October, barely three months after joining the fold.

    Without elaborating much about his sudden decision to quit the party, he had stated at the time in his resignation letter that he was resigning due to some “personal reasons”.

  • Assembly polls: Gujarat transfers over 900 officials after EC rap; 51 yet to be moved out

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Gujarat administration has transferred over 900 officials ahead of assembly polls after being pulled up by the Election Commission, but 51 more, including six senior IPS officers are yet to be moved out, sources said on Wednesday.

    Now, the poll panel has asked the state chief secretary to ensure that the remaining officers report to “respective headquarters” and a compliance report sent by 4.00 PM Thursday, the sources said.

    Of the 51 officers yet to be transferred are six IPS officers — additional commissioners of police Premvir Sinh (crime, Ahmedabad city) and A G Chauhan (traffic, Ahmedabad city), and deputy commissioners of police Harshad Patel (Control Room, Ahmedabad city), Mukesh Patel (Zone-IV, Ahmedabad city), Bhakti Thakar (Traffic, Ahmedabad city), and Rupal Solanki (Crime, Surat city).

    The over 900 officers transferred are of various grades and services, the sources pointed out.

    Taking a stern view of the failure of Gujarat government officials to send a compliance report on transfer and posting of officials ahead of the assembly polls, the EC had last week sought an explanation from the state chief secretary and DGP.

    Citing a letter, the EC shot off to the Gujarat chief secretary last Friday.

    Sources said despite reminders the chief secretary and the director general of police failed to send compliance reports on transfer and posting of certain category of officials.

    They were asked to explain the circumstances as to why the compliance reports were not furnished “so far even after the lapse of stipulated time limit despite issuing of the reminder in the matter”, a source said quoting the letter.

    The letters regarding transfer and posting of officials were sent to Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

    While Himachal Pradesh will go to polls on November 12, dates are yet to be announced for Gujarat election.

    The Commission had directed the two state governments to transfer officials posted in their home districts and those who have spent three years in a district in the last four years.

    It is usual for the poll panel to issue such directions ahead of Lok Sabha and assembly polls to ensure free and fair elections.

    NEW DELHI: The Gujarat administration has transferred over 900 officials ahead of assembly polls after being pulled up by the Election Commission, but 51 more, including six senior IPS officers are yet to be moved out, sources said on Wednesday.

    Now, the poll panel has asked the state chief secretary to ensure that the remaining officers report to “respective headquarters” and a compliance report sent by 4.00 PM Thursday, the sources said.

    Of the 51 officers yet to be transferred are six IPS officers — additional commissioners of police Premvir Sinh (crime, Ahmedabad city) and A G Chauhan (traffic, Ahmedabad city), and deputy commissioners of police Harshad Patel (Control Room, Ahmedabad city), Mukesh Patel (Zone-IV, Ahmedabad city), Bhakti Thakar (Traffic, Ahmedabad city), and Rupal Solanki (Crime, Surat city).

    The over 900 officers transferred are of various grades and services, the sources pointed out.

    Taking a stern view of the failure of Gujarat government officials to send a compliance report on transfer and posting of officials ahead of the assembly polls, the EC had last week sought an explanation from the state chief secretary and DGP.

    Citing a letter, the EC shot off to the Gujarat chief secretary last Friday.

    Sources said despite reminders the chief secretary and the director general of police failed to send compliance reports on transfer and posting of certain category of officials.

    They were asked to explain the circumstances as to why the compliance reports were not furnished “so far even after the lapse of stipulated time limit despite issuing of the reminder in the matter”, a source said quoting the letter.

    The letters regarding transfer and posting of officials were sent to Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

    While Himachal Pradesh will go to polls on November 12, dates are yet to be announced for Gujarat election.

    The Commission had directed the two state governments to transfer officials posted in their home districts and those who have spent three years in a district in the last four years.

    It is usual for the poll panel to issue such directions ahead of Lok Sabha and assembly polls to ensure free and fair elections.

  • Modi-Shah to lead from the front and defend fortress Gujarat

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI: After the announcement of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Gujarat’s is going to be announced soon. In such a situation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been in power in the state for 27 years, has a big challenge to save its fort.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have taken up the responsibility of retaining BJP’S power in Gujarat.

    A few hours after the Election Commission (EC) announced the Himachal elections on Friday, a meeting was held under the leadership of the PM at his residence. The BJP leaders of Gujarat and Himachal, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and state president C.R. Patil were present in the meeting, said sources.

    According to sources, this meeting was related to the Gujarat elections. A strategy to save the throne of Gujarat was prepared in this 5-hour-long meeting. It is believed that the BJP will compete in the Gujarat elections by keeping the face of the PM in front. At the same time, Amit Shah, along with J.P. Nadda, is busy preparing the complete outline of the plan. The gathering focused on several important aspects.

    Modi-Shah to announce schemes before the EC’s model code of conduct

    There is a possibility that the EC will announce the Gujarat elections after Diwali. In the remaining 10-12 days, Modi and Shah can give many big gifts to the state. The Defence Expo, which is going to be held in Gandhinagar in Gujarat from October 18 to October 22 will be inaugrated by the Prime Minister on October 19.

    The government is expecting to have signatures on more than 400 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for investments above Rs 1.25 lakh crore in this expo. Apart from this, the foundation stone of many schemes and inaugurations will also be done around Diwali in Gujarat.

    To lessen the resentment of employees and farmers

    In Gujarat, many teachers, class IV government employees, health workers, farmers, forest guards and other organisations are angry with the government and were part of protests recently. They protested for an increase in their grade pay and the implementation of Old Pension Scheme (OPS), among other demands.

    The Bhupendra Patel government has been successful in pacifying some of these, and has received instructions from the PM to dispose off the resentment still being seen in some organisations.

    Dealing with AAP’s promises and Congress’ silent propaganda

    The Gujarat Assembly elections are likely to be triangular this time. Apart from the BJP-Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also vigorously engaged in registering its presence in the state. Arvind Kejriwal, the party’s national convenor is making populist promises of providing free water, electricity as well as restoring old pension scheme of employees.

    In order to prevent the people from falling for these promises,the BJP has entrusted the central and state level leaders to go to the public and make them remember the development works of the government. Gujarat Gaurav Yatra is the beginning of the same.

    At the same time, the silence of the Congress also remains a matter of concern for the BJP. Recently, during a rally, Modi warned his workers of Congress’ silent campaign. He said that the “Congress was campaigning in villages and one should not get confused by them for not giving speeches or being seen in news”.

    To deal with this, the BJP has asked its workers to contact voters and conduct door to door campaigns. Amit Shah is also going to hold a meeting with the prominent leaders of Gujarat regarding this, said sources.

    There are 40-50 seats in Gujarat where the party seems weak in its own survey. A strategy is being prepared to bring these seats in its favour by holding more rallies with Modi and Shah. The party is also trying to strengthen its hold on the tribal seats. There are 27 seats reserved for tribals in the state. In the year 2017, the party could win only nine seats. Two seats went to the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) and the remaining went to the Congress.

    Sources believe that CM Patel is not a leader with much mass base, hence the party has decided to go amongst the people with the face of Modi and the strategy of Shah.

    Gujarat has a total of 182 seats in the Assembly, out of which it is very important for any party to win 92 seats for a majority. In the 2017 elections, the BJP won 99 seats, while the Congress got 77.

    NEW DELHI: After the announcement of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Gujarat’s is going to be announced soon. In such a situation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been in power in the state for 27 years, has a big challenge to save its fort.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have taken up the responsibility of retaining BJP’S power in Gujarat.

    A few hours after the Election Commission (EC) announced the Himachal elections on Friday, a meeting was held under the leadership of the PM at his residence. The BJP leaders of Gujarat and Himachal, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and state president C.R. Patil were present in the meeting, said sources.

    According to sources, this meeting was related to the Gujarat elections. A strategy to save the throne of Gujarat was prepared in this 5-hour-long meeting. It is believed that the BJP will compete in the Gujarat elections by keeping the face of the PM in front. At the same time, Amit Shah, along with J.P. Nadda, is busy preparing the complete outline of the plan. The gathering focused on several important aspects.

    Modi-Shah to announce schemes before the EC’s model code of conduct

    There is a possibility that the EC will announce the Gujarat elections after Diwali. In the remaining 10-12 days, Modi and Shah can give many big gifts to the state. The Defence Expo, which is going to be held in Gandhinagar in Gujarat from October 18 to October 22 will be inaugrated by the Prime Minister on October 19.

    The government is expecting to have signatures on more than 400 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for investments above Rs 1.25 lakh crore in this expo. Apart from this, the foundation stone of many schemes and inaugurations will also be done around Diwali in Gujarat.

    To lessen the resentment of employees and farmers

    In Gujarat, many teachers, class IV government employees, health workers, farmers, forest guards and other organisations are angry with the government and were part of protests recently. They protested for an increase in their grade pay and the implementation of Old Pension Scheme (OPS), among other demands.

    The Bhupendra Patel government has been successful in pacifying some of these, and has received instructions from the PM to dispose off the resentment still being seen in some organisations.

    Dealing with AAP’s promises and Congress’ silent propaganda

    The Gujarat Assembly elections are likely to be triangular this time. Apart from the BJP-Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also vigorously engaged in registering its presence in the state. Arvind Kejriwal, the party’s national convenor is making populist promises of providing free water, electricity as well as restoring old pension scheme of employees.

    In order to prevent the people from falling for these promises,the BJP has entrusted the central and state level leaders to go to the public and make them remember the development works of the government. Gujarat Gaurav Yatra is the beginning of the same.

    At the same time, the silence of the Congress also remains a matter of concern for the BJP. Recently, during a rally, Modi warned his workers of Congress’ silent campaign. He said that the “Congress was campaigning in villages and one should not get confused by them for not giving speeches or being seen in news”.

    To deal with this, the BJP has asked its workers to contact voters and conduct door to door campaigns. Amit Shah is also going to hold a meeting with the prominent leaders of Gujarat regarding this, said sources.

    There are 40-50 seats in Gujarat where the party seems weak in its own survey. A strategy is being prepared to bring these seats in its favour by holding more rallies with Modi and Shah. The party is also trying to strengthen its hold on the tribal seats. There are 27 seats reserved for tribals in the state. In the year 2017, the party could win only nine seats. Two seats went to the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) and the remaining went to the Congress.

    Sources believe that CM Patel is not a leader with much mass base, hence the party has decided to go amongst the people with the face of Modi and the strategy of Shah.

    Gujarat has a total of 182 seats in the Assembly, out of which it is very important for any party to win 92 seats for a majority. In the 2017 elections, the BJP won 99 seats, while the Congress got 77.

  • 2017 convention followed in not announcing Himachal, Gujarat polls together: CEC

    Technically, it is still possible to hold Gujarat elections in the November-December period so that the votes could be counted on the same day as was the case in 2017.