Ahmedabad, 23 March 2014

He is seven term MP from Ahmedabad. He is Advani loyalist. He was denied party ticket yesterday. Actor Paresh Rawal has been fielded by BJP in his place. As per what he announced yesterday, he spoke to media persons today morning at his Ahmedabad’s Maninagar area based house. He has not ruled out the possibility of fighting the election as independent. He said he will take decision and share with media on Thursday or Friday. Here are glimpses of what he said in his press conference:

-I have never sought ticket. I only believe in service. I said if someone special who intends to do service comes to contest on my seat, I will welcome him(Narendra Modi). I am 67 but I am able to work for 18 hours a day. I was ready to vacate seat for Modi but otherwise wished to continue to serve people.

-Mentality of people of Ahmedabad is such that MP should be one of us. He should live between us. There are two persons sitting inside my office even now for true-copy. People can come to Harinbhai’s bed-room. Even now people are sitting there. It is not MP’s duty to help someone to bring his son’s dead-body from America, it is not MP’s duty to ask doctor for medical treatment of someone in V S or Civil hospital. I have done all kinds of work for people. My supporters are pained and I am very much hurt.

-I have addressed thousands of public meetings as Chhote Vajpayee in Hindi since 1967. In fact there were two Jan Sangh leaders who took party to villages – one was late Ashok Bhatt and the other was me.

-Today morning party leaders Mukulbhai, Asitbhai Vora and Kamleshbhai came to meet me at my house. Mukulbhai is still there sitting in my house. They connected me to party leadership over phone. I spoke to honorable Chief Minister, Shri IK Jadeja and Bhikhubhai. They told me you are a party worker and please give a thought as per a party worker.

-Due to new delimitation introduced in year 2009, my constituency area include parts of even Sabarkantha district and stretches like Nainpur chokdi, Shertha, Amraiwadi and Rakhial. Thousands of party men have visited me in last three days. They visited me to wish me. They visited me because here was their leader who would call a doctor in Civil hospital for them, who would allot budget to them sitting under tree. I will speak to them in next two-three days and take decision. I will meet my party workers and will tell you on Thursday or Friday. My party worker is first priority for me. I will ask my party worker and speak to you, please wait. Party is supreme but party workers are even above party because party is formed by party workers.

-I don’t believe I am victimized just because I am closer to Advani. This decision is not one man’s decision. It is taken by party. Yesterday morning, Advaniji and Sushmaji had called me and they wanted to know details on my ticket.

-Advaniji is the tallest leader. Advaniji, Sushmaji, Joshiji are kohinoors of parliament. We can’t imagine parliament without them. I know Advaniji. He is even healthier than a 25 years old young man. BJP is in process to become Congress. I will stop it, I am able to stop it.

-I am proud of the fact that I am Brahmin, but today’s this forum is not about one community. This forum is about a person elected from Ahmedabad. When I am at Brahmin community’s function, I can talk about someone who belongs to my community.

-For last few days, someone who has worked in Jan Sangh/BJP for last 48 years, I feel, those who were in Congress and attacking BJP and Jan Sangh leadership and attacking party workers and murdering them during the elections….Why such elements are inducted to BJP. Not only this but they are honored and given position. I am hurt. I am witnessing this for last three months. From Kutch to Vav to Dahod, every committed BJP and Jan Sangh worker is hurt. Why we need tainted fourth rank Congress workers to join BJP and endorse their entry? Why giving them honor against our own dedicated workers?

-Denial of ticket is no reason for why I am pained. I am pained because wrong selection of candidates. I will not leave party. There’s no question of me joining Congress.

-I don’t know why I am denied ticket. Ask those who denied it. I was not in this party for any position. I was working for party when party symbol was oil lamp.

Informal talk with Pathak

Harin Pathak is likely to meet state party organizational general secretary Shri Bhikhubhai Dalsania in two-three days. Speaking to media persons informally after a press conference, he said it’s not easy to represent Ahmedabad, because people keep coming to Member of Parliament for every type of work be it in the purview of municipal corporation or state government. Pathak questioned whether Paresh Rawal will be able to serve constituency in same fashion. Pathak said when he serves Dakor padyatra camps, or when his Madhuram trust runs medical service centre, or when he helps people stuck in Amarnath Yatra, the urge to serve the people comes out naturally. He gave example of one incident when he had to spend entire night with people of Pakhali ni pol just because a very popular dog in that area had succumbed to death. Pathak said a representative has commitment of this level to his voters.

When Pathak met Modi

Pathak said, “three months back a newspaper interviewed me and asked whether I wold like to vacate my seat for Narendra Modi. I replied positively. Next day when I went to Gandhinagar, I also met Narendra Modi. Narendrabhai calls me ‘Bhaila’ and ‘Pathak saheb’ when in mood. I offered him my seat, and Modi replied that his decisions are taken by parliamentary party. And Modi is correct. The decision to field him from Vadodara has been taken by parliamentary board only.”

Paresh Rawal’s effigy burnt in Dehgam

Harin Pathak supporters in strength of 50-100 burnt Paresh Rawal in effigy at Dehgam. Harin supporters have given Dehgam bandh call on Monday. There’s no need to say that Congress cadre in Dehgam will ensure success of bandh call to further fuel Harin Pathak. Dehgam is represented in the assembly by Congress MLA.