‘Political show’ from so-called apolitical forum, Thakor issues ultimatum to government

Correspondent, Gandhinagar: In what may be seen as an attempt to unite the anti-BJP forces in Gujarat and keep them going with an eye on next year’s assembly polls, using a so-called non-political forum, OBC Ekta Manch and Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena president Alpesh Thakor today issued fresh warning to the Vijya Rupani government during his Vyasan Mukti Mahakumbh, an anti liquor campaign, saying he will sound the ‘death bell’ of the government if his demands were not met with.

Reiterating his demand of making a stricter anti liquor law on the lines of Bihar, Thakor said that if the government did not do so or issues solid assurance by six pm this evening, then he would sit on a fast at the venue (Satyagrah Chhawani ground in Sector 6 here in which they have got permission for the meeting till six pm only) and gherao (lay seige) the state assembly tomorrow with his supporters.

He also demanded Rs 5000 crore annual package for his community. He also raised the issue of employment to local youths in the plants of various companies being set up in Gujarat. He said that despite land allotment for Tata Nano plant at a token price and Rs 40000 crore tax waiver, employment to local Gujaratis proved a distant dream. He said that Gujarat does not need such companies which don’t provide employment to locals.

He also said that he would make a political party if needed. In an apparent attempt to woo the Patidar community he also chanted the slogan of jai Sardar, Jai Bhim.

Alpesh’s father Khodaji Thakor, a Congress leader, was also present on the occasion.

Self Styled Dalit Leader Jignesh Mewani, who tried to hog the limelight during the Dalit protests post Una incident, also extended his support to
Alpesh and attacked the Gujarat model claiming it was a model of unemployment. He also said that the government was involved in the politics of division.

Another well-know anti BJP face and Patidar Ananamat Aandolan Samiti (PAAS)Convener Hardik Patel who is living in Udaipur for six months as per his bail conditions in sedition cases, also expressed his support to Thakor and his demands issuing a video message. He said that he was concerned about the safety of Thakor. ‘I am concerned that something like what happened to us during our similar sit in at the GMDC ground in August last year might happen with Alpesh. They should remain alert,’ he said.

Thakor in his address also attacked Prime Minister Modi claiming that despite 10 lakh postcards demanding his intervention in the matter which has caused already sent to him, no response from the PMO has been seen so far.

‘The state government had assured us of a strict law against liquor but so far nothing has been done. We demand a law on the lines of Bihar implemented by Nitish Kumar government. What kind of a vibrant Gujarat is this where all the communities have come on roads against the government. Despite it being a dry state, all the corners of the state are filled with bootleggers and hooch tragedies are rampant, MLA’s have permit to consume and sell liquor,’ he said demanding that strict action against the police officials and public representatives of the area from where illicit liquor is seized should be ensured.

‘If the government acts on our demands I will bow down to it and praise it but it it did not then the death bell will be sounded. I will sit here and if our demands are not met I will not get up, only my dead body could be lifted.,’ he said. DeshGujarat

PTI story:
Bring Bihar-like prohibition laws in Gujarat: Alpesh Thakor

Ahmedabad:OBC leader Alpesh Thakor today threatened ghreao of Gujarat Assembly tomorrow seeking stricter prohibition laws on the lines of Bihar, even as Chief Minister Vijay Rupani assured doing everything possible for the strict implementation of the anti-liquor law.

In a show of strength, Thakor, who has emerged as a prominent OBC face in Gujarat, addressed a massive gathering at Gandhinagar to mount pressure on state government on various issues, including liquor prohibition, employment for local youths and decisive measures for the community’s uplift.

Thakor had last month announced taking out today’s rally, where he said if the government does not come up with such a law by this evening, they would gherao the Assembly tomorrow.

“Though Gujarat has Prohibition Act, it is not implemented properly. We also feel that the current Act is very weak, as a result bootleggers have no fear in carrying out their illegal activities by paying money to police,” he said.

“We want the Gujarat government to bring a stricter law, just like what Bihar government brought recently, to deal with this menace. Under this new law, punishment for selling liquor should be at least 10 years and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.

The law must have provision of immediate suspension of the concerned police inspector of that area,” Thakor added.

“The law should also have a provision of issuing notices to local MLA as well as DSP if liquor is found to be sold in their area. If state government does not come up with such law by today evening, we all will gherao the Assembly tomorrow. Till that time, we will not leave this place,” Thakor, who is the president of OBC-SC-ST (OSS) Ekta Manch as well as that of Kshatriya Thakor Sena, a non-political outfit.

Thakor has asked the thousands of people who have gathered at the Satyagrah Chhavni in the state capital, not to leave the place till they mount pressure on the government over the demand.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rupani said, “Gujarat government also wants that youths of the state to stay away from all kinds of addictions. We are ready to work together in this direction.”

“We have asked the authorities to strictly implement liquor prohibition in the state,” he told reporters at a government function. .