Senior Congress leader and Rajyasabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil said he will ensure that development and benefits in Gujarat are not just passed on to selected coterie of billionaires adding that Gujarat Congress would strive for a balanced developement bridging the huge gap between the Much Haves and Have Nots in the State.
After bowing down to Mahatma Gandhi and seeking Bapu’s blessings,Gohil took out an impressive padyatra from Sabarmati Ashram to the Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in Paldi which is the Gujarat Congress headquarters. Gohil will take over as the State Congress president from Jagdish Thakor tomorrow.
He said he did not want to inconvenience the public and create traffic snarls and hence he chose to take out the padyatra on a Sunday. Congress party leaders, workers and well wishers from 33 districts across the State attended the padyatra.
Gohil acknowledged that several leaders and workers had quit the Congress in Gujarat in last few years and that he would endeavour to bring them back to the Party. “I promise that I will not endure any groupism, nepotism and factionalism. We will work as one cohesive unit and take upon the BJP in a strong, structured and strategic manner”, he emphasised.
Citing the example of Karnataka,Gohil said he would strive for inclusive growth in Gujarat. “Just like Karnataka, where Bajrangbali and Ali both supported us, I will ensure that we fight for better conditions for MSME sector, employment opportunities for youth besides peace and equality across the State that has a glorious ancient history of co-existence of different caste, communities and creed. The serial government exam paper leaks,the fixed pay system, selective profiling and discrimination against people belonging to certain castes and communities have all contributed in ensuring that most Gujaratis live in a state of constant fear. “Fear of being harassed, fear of not getting jobs as per the merit, fear of surveillance, fear of being punished for doing what is right.
But enough is enough. We will restore the dignity of Gujarat. Today everyone knows that Gujarat has become synonymous with corruption, largesse to a selected coterie and harassment to those who raise a voice against the wrongs.
Freedom means the right to criticize and democracy means allowing dissent. This right stands completely suffocated and stifled in Gujarat”,he said.
He appealed the media to exercise this right without any fear or favour. “I ensure you that you have a right to criticize. You may begin with criticizing me whenever I am wrong. I ensure you that all your rights will be safeguarded. But please be fair”, he appealed.
Gohil who had become the youngest Congress minister in the 90’s had quit his ministerial position when his government failed to allocate a medical college in his constituency in Bhavnagar. Known for his oratory and constitutional scholarship,Gohil has raised issues pertaining to difficulties faced by MSME sector,ship breaking, diamond industries besides other trade and commerce sector issues in the Parliament.
Gohil said since his ideal was Rahul Gandhi, he would formally take up his position as State Congress President on Monday which happens to be Rahul Gandhi’s birthday.
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