Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil on Monday said the All India Congress Committee convention to be held on Wednesday is a message to those trying to belittle Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The two-day Congress event, including Congress Working Committee meeting, gets underway on Tuesday amid observations that the opposition Congress has a challenging task ahead in the state where politics is dominated by the BJP for the last three decades.
While the CWC session will be held at the Sardar Patel Smarak in Shahibaug, the convention will be held at the Sabarmati Riverfront between Sabarmati Ashram and Kochrab Ashram. The convention coincides with 150th birth centenary of Patel and 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi became the Congress president. While the CWC session will be held at the Sardar Patel Smarak in Shahibaug, the convention will be held at the Sabarmati Riverfront between Sabarmati Ashram and Kochrab Ashram. The convention coincides with 150th birth centenary of Patel and 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi became the Congress president.
More than 2000 delegates are expected to take part in the convention being held in Gujarat after 64 years. One hundred and fifty-nine party leaders, including six from Gujarat, are expected to take part in the CWC meeting.
Gohil said the convention is about bringing back the pride of Gujarat. It is not about snatching away the power, he observed. The Congress has selected “Nyay Path” as the theme for the event. On the “Nyay Path” there will be resolve, dedication and struggle. Gohil alleged that an attempt is being made to wipe off Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s name. Karamsad, where Patel spent his childhood, is being merged in Anand, and the name of Sardar Patel Stadium has been changed to Narendra Modi Stadium.
Amit Chavda, Congress legislative party leader, told media persons that the issues faced by the diamond workers, the ceramic industry and the textile industry will be taken up at the Congress meet. Observing that diamond workers have been commiting suicide, Chavda said that they will deliberate on how things can be improved in all sectors. He said the focus will also be on malnutrition and how good and affordable education and health care facilities can be given to the people.
The Congress leader said that party leaders will also discuss how demolitions are being carried out in Gujarat. Chavda said in Gandhi’s Gujarat, prohibition is only on paper. Ways to make Gujarat drug free will also be discussed. The Congress has been raising concern over the increasing drug haul in the state and the manner in which liquor is freely available.
Pawan Khera, chairman of the party’s media and publicity wing, told media persons that the party will fight against the problems faced by the society. He observed that history is recording what the middle class, traders and miniorities are going through and what is being done to democracy.
