News in brief from across Gujarat

Ahmedabad

– Union Defense Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar was today on visit to Vadtal town in central Gujarat to address a three-day 2nd convention of Akhil Bharatiya Purva Sainik Parishad(registered). He launched a Hindi book on 21 jawans who were awarded Paramvir Chakra. Speaking to media persons, Parrikar said: Modiji has made ‘Make in India’ a key point after coming to power. Like Swachch Bharat, Beti Bachao. If Make in India succeeds only Defence sector can give employment to two-three million people. This will not happen in two days. Internationally a message has gone that barring some items, India will not import defense items. And if you want to supply, you will need to shift your production here. Our first priority will be our own manufacturing, or they will need to make it here.

– Gujarat Congress will challenge the government ordinance that makes a way to postpone the panchayat elections in court. Leader of opposition Shankersinh Vaghela announced this in a press conference today afternoon in Gandhinagar. Congress has demanded imposition of president’s rule in Gujarat. Congress leaders said Panchayat polls were held on time even in year 2002 post communal riots. Vaghela said Congress had gone to court against municipal corporation elections not to delay the election but to seek one ward one Councillor system. It was BJP that didn’t file reply timely and therefore polls were delayed.

– BJP leader Mansukh Mandavia told media persons that the state government had to postpone the elections due to Congress party’s plea in court. He said BJP is ready to fight the polls.

– Petrol dealers association will join the truckers strike tomorrow in Gujarat and will not operate fuel tankers. In other development, truckers blocked highway in Bhavnagar today. Gujarat Transporters Association representatives will join the national meeting in Delhi tomorrow regarding intensifying the truckers strike.

– Sulking BJP MLA Nalin Kotadiya from Dhari assembly seat in Saurashtra region has openly slammed the BJP government in state. In his public address he said if Patidar reservation issue is not resolved, voters must not vote for BJP. He also went on to say that Congress is better than BJP. Kotadiya said, Lord Krishna had said that one who kills other is suitable to be killed, and there’s no problem doing so. If Police breaches law, then Patidars too will do the same. Kotadiya was elected to Gujarat assembly on Keshubhai Patel led Gujarat Parivartan Party(GPP) which fought the assembly polls in 2012 on Patidar plank. Kotadiya was one of only two MLAs elected from now defunct GPP. He joined BJP later on when GPP was merged with BJP. Kotadiya is also agitating against the state government over the issue of eco-sensitive zone around Gir forests.

– While railway traffic has normalized, the road traffic over Railway Over Bridge in Khokhra area of Ahmedabad(East) continued to remain prohibited today. City police commissioner has in a notification declared closure of this bridge until its safety verification is completed and positive report arrived.

– Chhota Udepur district collector Jenu Devan who had visited a hospital about three days back was caught with dengue today. He was admitted to Dhiraj hospital in Vaghodia.

– Controversial IPS officer ADGP Vipul Vijoy has finally vacated a bungalow in Karai police academy in Gandhinagar. He has shifted to IPS mess in Ahmedabad. Vijoy was continuing to occupy the bungalow even after his transfer. Last week 13 police men complained that they were forcefully kept inside the garage of Vijoy’s bungalow by Vijoy and his wife. State police chief had to sent two senior IPS officers in response to such call.