The Thakor community in Gujarat is determined to do what it takes to re-elect a Gujarat Chief Minister and get long overdue justice. As Gujarat gets into election mode, over 300 Thakor community members are brainstorming on ways to bring back their glory and lending support to Gujarat Congress President, Jagdish Thakor. With this objective, over 300 members of the community gathered in Gujarat to formulate a strategy for the polls.
The two crore strong Thakor community is confident that if it stands united, it can re elect a government headed by its leader. The community commands considerable influence in the north and central regions of Gujarat.
Gujarat Congress President Jagdish Thakor said, “Gujarat elections 2022 is our only chance to bring back our glory. If smaller communities can demand their chief minister, so can we. But for that we need to unite as a community.”
(Pictures by Hanif Sindhi)
Rajendrasinh Thakor, MLA from Modasa said “Either Thakor community will be the king or the king maker.’’ Congressman Mahendrasinh Baraiya, former Member of the Legislative Assembly from Prantij said, “There are 2.5 crore of us in Gujarat. If only one lakh of us unite, we are sure to bring our government. We need to improve our voting ratio. Even if 70% of us go to the voting booth, we can create a brighter future.” OBCs (Other Backward Class) constitute over 49% per cent of Gujarat population while Patels constitute around 12% of population.
Gujarat Congress President Jagdish Thakor
Congress MLA from Kalol, Baldevji Chanduji Thakor, reminded the community that Gujarat never got a Thakor Chief Minister after Madhav Singh Solanki. “Madhavji brought many reforms in favour of the Thakor community but Keshubhai Patel and Anandiben Patel favoured Patels and were totally unfair to our community. We demand justice and we will get it in the next elections.”
Likewise, Geni Thakor, MLA from Vav said “We don’t have to be scared of Income Tax raids, or arrest or someone not approving our tenders. Our farm, our wealth is hard-earned. Even if the government puts us behind bars or kills us, we still have to unite for the greater good.”
Urging community members to put a stiff resistance to pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Navghanji Thakor, president of the Akhil Thakor Ekta Samiti said “BJP is out there to buy us. They will throw money to buy our loyalty but we are sons of farmers and we will never put our credibility on sale. This is one promise I need from all Thakor members. We need to support Jagdish Thakor.”
Chandan Thakor, MLA from Sidhpur
Chandan Thakor, MLA from Sidhpur, said, “Thakor is Congress. There is no way out except Indian National Congress. We are thankful to Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi for looking after the Thakor samaj. The high command appointed Amit Chavda, Bharat Solanki and now Jagdish Thakor from our community. We must encourage our people.’’
