Ahmedabad, 22 November 2014

Minister of state for Agriculture, Parshottam Solanki today criticized his younger brother and BJP MLA Hirabhai Solanki’s move to call gathering of Koli community to raise voice against the state government and ruling BJP.

Hirabhai Solanki, younger brother and BJP MLA is president of Koli Sena, an outfit claiming to represent Koli community.

After recent expansion of Anandiben Patel cabinet, Hirabhai issued a statement and even gave interviews claiming that Kolis are not given enough representation in state ministry and in party organization. ( Read more here on Hirabhai’s revolt . Also read On Gujarat cabinet expansion )

Hirabhai held a meeting of Koli community leaders in Gandhinagar first, and later announced to hold a gathering in Bagodara near Ahmedabad to demand more berths for community members in state cabinet and higher posts in state BJP. Hirabhai also expressed dissatisfaction against Animal Husbandry ministry given to his elder brother Parshottam Solanki.

However today in his statement, MoS Animal Husbandry and elder brother of Hirabhai, Shri Parshottam Solanki said that calling convention of Koli community in Bagodara is wrong.

He said this is a move to split Koli samaj(community).

He said Hiralal needs to understand. Yes he is my brother, but politics is a different matter.

“Samaj should not be misled. BJP has given a lot to both brothers,” he added.

(In Gujarati: બગોદરામાં જે સંમેલન બોલાવી રહ્યા છે તે ખોટું છે, સમાજને વેરવિખેર કરવાની હિલચાલ છે. હિરાલાલે પોતે સમજવાની જરૃર છે, ભાઇ ભાઇની જગ્યાએ છે, રાજકારણ રાજકારણની જગ્યાએ છે. સમાજને ગેરમાર્ગે ન દોરો. બંને ભાઇઓને ભાજપે ઘણું બધું આપ્યું છે. ખોટી વાતો વહેતી કરી મને બદનામ કરાઇ રહ્યો છે. હું બગોદરા સંમેલનમાં નથી જવાનો.)

It should be noted that Koli Sena, the outfit Hirabhai Solanki is leading was founded by Parshottambhai.

Hirabhai’s rebel is attributed to his failure in securing place in state ministry. He was of opinion that both brothers should get berth in state ministry. He was of opinion that Parshottambhai should be made cabinet minister and he himself should be made minister of state with allocation of good portfolio.

Hirabhai’s rebel however may not find much support from within his community. BJP has in recent years made several Koli community persons MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha both, and they are more than happy with party. One Koli community MLA has been elevated to Parliamentary Secretary with Deputy Minister’s status recently. Parshottambhai himself is happy with his portfolio and re-induction in ministry.