The return of the estranged lion to its lair took place with aplomb, if not style on Sunday. The warring factions of Gujarat Congress came together in an apparent show of unity to announce the return of Shankersinh Vaghela into the party mainstream as chairman of the campaign committee for the assembly elections next year.
At a rare joint meeting with the press attended by leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil, state party president Arjun Modhwadia and Shankersinh Vaghela aka Bapu, Congress leaders welcomed Vaghela as chairman of the campaign committee.
"There are no differences between us. We will work together till the assembly elections of 2012. We'll benefit from Bapu's experience and hope to bring back democracy in Gujarat by defeating Modi," Gohil said.
Vaghela repeatedly thanked Sonia Gandhi; AICC in-charge of Gujarat, Mohan Prakash; and even Ahmed Patel for appointing him the party's campaign in-charge for the elections. He reiterated his earlier announcement that Gujarat Congress will formally start its election campaign from Kutch at the onset of Navratri.
As for the appointment of Lokayukta by the Governor which Modi is protesting, Vaghela said, "I pity Modi. He is a really scared man. They have double standards in seeking Lokpal Bill at the Centre but not the appointment of an independent Lokayukta in Gujarat. The selection of Lokayukta is done by the chief justice of the state. If he has the courage, ask him to include the CJ in his allegations," he said.
Modhwadia reiterated that corruption is a major issue in Gujarat. "To escape any kind of inquiry, some crucial posts like the head of state human rights commission have been empty for the last five years. It was filled after the high court's order but several other posts in the body are still vacant and no staff is being recruited for its effective functioning. Posts like the Chief Information Commissioner and deputy speaker have been vacant for the last several years," he said.
