Old allies Keshubhai Patel, Gordhan Zadaphia lambast Narendra Modi

In statements that may charge the political climate of the state ahead of the assembly elections, former chief minister and veteran BJP leader Keshubhai Patel attacked the BJP government over the worsening law and order situation in the state. The top BJP leader also stated that even IAS and IPS officers are under threat as officers who are working honestly are punished.

“There is a need for change in the state. The officers who do real work are not liked by anybody. IAS and IPS officers are working under threat,” said Keshubhai, addressing a function of Rohit community in the city. Accompanying him was rebel BJP leader Gordhan Zadaphia.

Giving the example of IPS officer Kuldip Sharma without taking his name, Keshubhai said, “One police officer was transferred to Gujarat State Sheep and Wool Development Corporation. If you read Saturday’s newspaper, a court has exonerated a top IPS officer from a 15-year old criminal case.”

It is pertinent to note that the Gujarat high court, on Friday, quashed criminal proceedings against Sharma, who is at loggerheads with the Modi government and is at present on deputation with the Central government in New Delhi.

Without naming chief minister Modi and his government, the veteran leader said, “Some people are trying to get publicity but not doing work. They claim they are tall and they are being hailed across the world. But they are like date and palm trees which are only tall but cannot provide shelter or shadow to anybody. They should be like banyan and mango trees that can give both shadow and fruits to the people.”

The saffron party recently hailed Modi as a cover page article on him was published in world-renowned Time magazine.

Keshubhai is considered to be a strong leader of the Patel community which has a dominant role in state politics. He mostly addresses Patel community meetings but on Saturday, he was in the city to take part in a Rohit (Dalit) community function with his old ally Zadaphia, who separated from BJP and formed a new political party Mahagujarat Janata Party (MJP).

Slamming law and order situation, Patel added, “The whole state is under threat. Conmen and cheaters are roaming free. Women are afraid of travelling in shared rickshaws because of incidents of robbery. The public have contributed to construct police station but the police have failed to protect public.”

He further said, “One should take note that the public can contribute to construct police chowkis. But if police cannot control crime, the public can take back these bricks. Society needs results, not talks.”

Zadaphia, who was sidelined after the saffron party replaced Keshubhai with Modi in 2001, said, “We can only claim Swarnim Gujarat when the son of a labourer can become a doctor with free education. The government is celebrating Swarnim Gujarat. But, what about the poor? The fee to become a doctor is Rs25 lakh and that to become an engineer is Rs5.30 lakh. All schemes for poor, which began in Keshubhai regime, have been shut down by the government.”