Jamnagar, 13 December 2013

In his infamous video captured by Cobrapost(above), Jamnagar MP Vikram Madam’s office seems preparing to collect election fund, obviously to contest the next year’s Lok Sabha elections. But will he contest on Congress ticket or as a rebel independent candidate? Well, that remains a question, because it seems Congress is not likely to renew his ticket, if it finds workable alternative.

Vikram Madam is from Ahir community, and majorly due to good strength of Ahir voters in Jamnagar, he has been victorious. However, it appears he has lost support within his community, and in this regard, the last year’s assembly poll results are indicative. Even after his best efforts, Vikram Madam couldn’t stop victory of BJP’s Ahir community candidate Poonamben Madam last year in assembly polls.

Ahead of the assembly elections, during the ticket distribution process, Vikram Madam opposed his uncle’s daughter Poonamben Madam’s candidature from Congress. Vikram Madam wanted to field his loyal candidate, and not Poonamben. Congress succumbed to Vikram Madam, and Poonamben switched over to BJP on the last day. When Poonamben comfortably won the seat, and Vikram Madam supported candidate lost the poll, Congress had to face an embarrassing situation!

Vikram Madam’s name was in discussion when he reportedly refused to contribute to state Congress’s parallel fasts against Chief Minister Modi’s Sadbhavana fasts. According to reports, Vikram Madam had problem with contribution of fund to organize the parallel fast event in Jamnagar. Insiders say, the state Congress leaders are not happy with him ever since that incident.

Years ago, when on the issue of Narmada, all theaters and multiplexes unanimously refused to screen Aamir Khan starer movie Fanaa, Vikram Madam’s family-run theaters in Jamnagar decided to screen it. One Brahmin youth committed self immolation protesting Madam family’s this move. The incident took place within the premises of theater. Even after this painful incident, Vikram Madam family wanted to continue to run the show. Their emotions failed to touch. It was the film maker in Mumbai whose emotions were actually touched, and took decision to withdraw the film.

Last year, oil and gas company Cairn India faced difficult situation in Jamnagar district. Cairn had to lay oil pipeline for its important project, but Vikram Madam played a role of villain. While frontal faces of agitation against pipe line were a few farmers, it is wellknown that the real obstruction was Vikram Madam. Cairn was not ready to succumb to him. Result? The pipeline laying work has been on halt! A Gujarati newspaper has carried detailed report on this today doubting corruption.

Finally, the Cobrapost sting operation exposed Vikram Madam yesterday, details of which are presented in this report.

If Congress wants to field clean candidates, Vikram Madam could not be a right choice, if Congress wants to field winnable candidates, Vikram Madam again could not be a nice choice this time.