Modhwadia suspects bugging device in Gujarat Bhawan room, spends night on sofa, writes letter to Chief Secretary

By DeshGujarat News, Ahmedabad, 8 April, 2012

Gujarat Congress President and Porbandar MLA Arjun Modhwadia has alleged that there could be bugging system in room no. 14 of Delhi based Gujarat Bhawan where he is allotted room everytime he visits Delhi. Modhwadia has written a letter to the Chief Secretary of Gujarat in this regard. Following are the highlights of Modhwadia’s letter to the Chief Secretary of Gujarat.

“When I reached Delhi based Gujarat Bhawan on 5th April night at around 9.30 pm, I inquired about the room allotted to me. I was told that room no 14 has been allotted to me. When I called manager Rawat and asked him why I was not allotted any of the vacant rooms on the first floor, like room no. 6, as per my repeated request in past, the manager told me that I should stay in room no. 14 on the second floor or in annexe building. I asked them to contact CAO of RC, whoever responsible at top and take their guidance for allotting me either room no. 6 or any other room on the first floor. However they didn’t react positively. I asked them to make it clear that why they allot me only room no. 14 everytime and not any other room? I told them that if they don’t allot me room no. 6 or any other room on the first floor, I would do ‘satyagraha’ and will sleep in open. When I returned back from my work at 3.00 am, I was again told to go to room no. 14. To protest this, I used sofa in waiting room and spent a night there. I used common washroom and bathroom too. No official of Gujarat Bhawan showed general courtesy to come and communicate with me.”

“Appointment of forest official Bharat Lal as Resident Commissioner(RC) violates the rules. Shri Pandya has been appointed as Chief Administrative Officer(CAO). Generally IAS officer should be on the post of RC, and Senior Manager should be on the post of CAO. However a forest official and a deputy collector are appointed on these posts thanks to their proximity with the CM. After these two officials assumed the charge, incidents of protocol violation and corruption have increased.”

“Around a month back I was in Gujarat Bhawan, and friends from TV media were waiting with my permission to have my interview in my room no.6, but manager Suketu, powered by an order of RC came to my room and told TV journalists to go. When reporters tried to meet me again, they were stopped outside the main gate. When I met RC on this issue, he replied that political activity would not be allowed to take place in Gujarat Bhawan. I asked him that whether the Chief Minister comes to Gujarat Bhawan to sing Bhajans or what? I asked if there was any notification stating that interaction with journalists is not allowed in Gujarat Bhawan, then he should show me. Gujarat Bhawan has license to function as a guest house, and according to that any guest can do any legal activity here.”

“I had asked to allot me a conference room in basement to hold a press conference. Earlier too at many instances I have called press meets in Gujarat Bhawan. But I was verbally denied permission to hold a press meet. When I pointed out that any conference place owned by the state government can be given on rent to private persons, while I am an MLA, the RC instructed that I should be given written reply that the conference room was being repaired.”

“No protocol or rules are followed when it comes to allotment of rooms. If BJP leaders come, they are allotted suite or room on the first floor in the main building. Amit Shah who has been arrested in encounter case and asked to leave outside the state has occupied suite room no.3 for last one year. Moreover he uses another suite for his guests. Under which rules, this ‘tadipar’ person has been allotted this suite room? Gujarat High Court Judges are not able to get suite room because Amit Shah has occupied two suite rooms.”

“Room no.12 which is reserved for the Chief Minister was earlier allotted to other guests also. I myself have stayed in this room for number of times. But after new RC assumed charge, room no.12 is declared reserved for CM’s special guests. Under which rules the room has been declared reserved? I have some evidences about some activities going on in this room. If you appoint a probe panel, I am ready to provide documentary evidences.”

“I am repeatedly allotted room no. 14 only. I have clear doubt that the reason behind allotment of this same room me this room is bugging devices there for spying me. I have complained time and again that the CM is doing surveillance of my telephone and it is being taped. I request you to investigate this.”

“After Shri Bharat assumed charge as RC, more liquor parties are taking place, and special types of women have started visiting this place frequently. Once in the evening time, when liquor party was exposed, one small employee was framed and transferred to Ahmedabad. After Bharat Lal assumed charge, guests are afraid of visiting Gujarat Bhawan with their family.”

“What is the eligibility of Bharat Lal due to which he has been shifted to the post of RC from Forest department? If you investigate minor details, you would come to know that sitting in Delhi, what types of services he offers to which dignitaries!”

“Bharat Lal speaks to me like in threatening language. This is not suitable for a government official.”

“After Bharat Lal and Pandya assumed charge, I started receiving complains on corruption in purchase but I neglected such issues. A probe is needed on this matter too.”