A set of farmers from North Gujarat have demanded resignation of Ashok Gehlot as Gujarat Congress in-charge.
Addressing mediapersons in Gandhinagar on Wednesday, the farmers said Gehlot is an Anti-Gujarat politician. The farmers also revealed the letter Gehlot had written on December 16, 2009, as Rajasthan CM to the then CM Narendra Modi opposing irrigation scheme catering North Gujarat region.
The Padmashree awardee farmer from Banaskantha, Genabhai Patel, said, "Gehlot is an anti-Gujarat politician. He had written to Modi opposing Sujalam-Sufalam scheme which caters to our region. Under the irrigation scheme, water is fetched from Mahi river for farms in entire North Gujarat region. The scheme was implemented by Narendra Modi's government." Patel added, "Gehlot was then the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and had written to Modi that Gujarat did not have any right over waters of Mahi river as per the agreements signed between two states on water-sharing."
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel also endorsed the farmers' demand and said, "BJP endorses these farmers as Gehlot could not bear the prosperity of this region. Today, this region which was an arid area in the past, is flourishing with cultivable lands and living standards of farmers have improved through Sujalam Sufalam scheme. We also seek Gehlot's resignation on the issue."
The farmers also cited the copy of letter received by Gujarat CMO. However, they failed to reply as to how they were able to get the copy of the letter that was part of a communication between the CMOs of the two neighbouring states.
The same issue was raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address in BJP's election rally held in Gandhinagar on October 16. The Congress also countered the allegations by farmers of Gujarat by showing a letter of BJP-led Rajasthan Government's Minister Dr Ram Pratap addressing Gujarat Minister Babu Bokhiria dated April 4, 2016 demanding the same action as sought by Gehlot.
Wrath of farmers
- Farmers revealed the letter Gehlot had written in December 2009, as Rajasthan CM opposing irrigation scheme catering North Gujarat region.
- Under the irrigation scheme, water is fetched from Mahi river for farms in entire North Gujarat region.
