Dediapada: At Dediapada rally today afternoon most Congress leaders from Gujarat in their addresses promised employment and Narmada water to tribal people gathered here in a rally which was addressed by Rahul Gandhi. Presented are highlights from some of key speeches:

Ahmed Patel

Congress leader Ahmed Patel said, ‘I haven’t seen such a big rally in my political career. This is important occasion for me as Rahulji is present here. Indiraji had not just good feeling for tribal people in her heart but she took translated it into actions on the ground. Rahulji is grand son of Indiraji and son of Rajivji and Soniaji. Defeat of BJP in Gujarat is as sure as rising of sun from the east tomorrow.

Referring to then Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s various visits to Dediapada town, Ahmed Patel without naming Modi said, ‘in 2003 he came here and said he wants to make Dediapada as Eco-tourism hot spot. Nothing happened. In 2008 he came again between us and said during Gujarat Swarnim yatra that Dediapada would be transformed, but nothing such happened again, then he came to 2012 and promised forest land rights to tribal people, but later 99% applications for land rights were turned down by his government. He only gives promises. Today I was reading newspaper. He said red beacon light needs to be removed not just from the cars but from mentality. He should first implement it. When he passes through Lok Kalyan marg, the road is closed for half an hour. He talks about havai chappal but he has forgotten havai chappal and scooter. he is into double faced talk.’

Ahmed Patel said Congress governments played major role in Narmada project. Rajivji granted environment clearance to this project and forms development authority. Narmada project and various industries were established during Congress rule. We don’t mind if Narmada water goes to Sabarmati river but tribals should also get Narmada water and drinking water.

‘I have adopted 7 villages. I have sent 30 letter demanding mobile tower, but they don’t respond and ask me to adopt another village. We managed to build 45 km road without government support. We worked for solar power, irrigation. They have no time to do such work. When chief minister visits the place, he speaks too much but that doesn’t translate into action.

Bharatsinh Solanki

State Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki in his speech said Congress government when elected to power will set up Aadivasi Economic Zone. Solanki promised Narmada water for tribal areas, proper support prices to farmers and stipend for those unemployed. Solanaki also promised debt waiver to farmers if elected to power.

Shankersinh Vaghela

Vaghela started his speech by praising Congress leader Ahmed Patel and said he was behind development works in this region such as Ankleshwar container depot, Bharuch bridge, Narmada project’s progress etc.

Vaghela said, Rahul Gandhi visited Goddess Devmogra temple and offered prashad and received blessing of goddess, ‘go and come back for darshan again when your government is placed in Gujarat and in Delhi’.

‘Pandit Nehru performed ground breaking for Narmada dam, our governments set up GSFC, GNFC fertilizer units, dairies, dams for drinking water, high schools, colleges, clinics, till 1995 and 1997 and for last twenty years there are only talks going on about development. You need to understand these two different types of Gujarat,’ he said.

‘You trible people are human being, but not for BJP. For them you are ‘Vanvasi’ you are ‘Junglee’,’ said Vaghela.

‘I met a person while returning from Dev Moghra temple. He was a youth. I asked him what does he do? He replied he was graduate but unemployed. If we are elected to power, our government will give Rs 3,000 to undergraduate, Rs 3,500 to graduate and Rs 4,000 to post graduate as monthly stipend so that government can feel burden of unemployment and make sincere effort to give them jobs. The government can give jobs to one million youths per year. There should be intention to do it,’ Vaghela said.

Vaghela said Narmada and Ukai water is lifted and sent to various area, but in tribal areas, there’s lack of planning to build good schools, good medical facilities, water supply etc.

He said Congress would win more than 108 seats and BJP will suffer (heart) attack.

Tushar Chaudhary

In his address, former minister of state in Centre, Tushar Chaudhary said, ‘Narmada water is not reaching tribal area of Gujarat including the towns of Dedaiapada, Sagbara, Netrang, Jhagadia etc places. Non-tribals are recruited as beat guard in forest department because they pay Rs 2 lakh for the job while tribals are unable to make such payment. Tribals are kept away from govt jobs, drinking water and irrigation water facilities so that they continue to work as labourers for rich people in urban areas.’

Chaudhary further said, ‘the State government developed the temples of Unai, Ambaji, Unai, Devmogra Panduri mata temple but look at the situation of Panduri mata temple. It was Amarsinh Chaudhary who built road to this temple.’

He said, ‘saffron bicycles are distributed among tribal children by government they so that people may know that one who rides saffron bicycle is tribal person.’

‘Same color sarees were distributed during Prime Minister’s function among tribla women so that if they go to market, one would identity that such and such lady is from tribal community. We should burn such sarees. They should increase milk fat price, make us director, reduce the price of cattle feed, we will buy our own sarees.’

‘BJP State president says tribal votes will be purchased through distribution of liquor and snacks. He should keep his illegitimate money with him and first make payment for the land to a person in Mumbai for which two warrants are issued against him by court,’ he said.

Former Lok Sabha MP of Dadra Nagar Haveli Mr. Delkar also addressed the public meeting.

DeshGujarat