Ahmeadbad, DeshGujarat

Taking charge of the office of president of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee(GPCC) at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in Ahmedabad, former union minister Bharatsinh Solanki today said there’s only one group in Congress party which is Sonia Gandhi’s group, and there’s no other group.

“One thing is sure that there’s only one group in Congress and it is Congress party and Sonia Gandhi’s group, and there’s no other group,” he said.

Solanki, addressing around five to seven thousand party workers outside the state party headquarters said he has been described as strict headmaster by certain newspapers, but he is actually a ‘sathi'(companion) of party workers.

At two occasions in his speech Solanki mentioned leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Ahmed Patel responsible for his appointment as state party president again.

Solanki thanked print and electronic media in his speech for its position against the BJP government.

“I am happy that electronic media and print media is raising its voice with full force against the BJP government. I congratulate media for that. Voice of Gujarat that has been already raised by media has to be amplified by our party so that it may reach Gandhinagar,” he said.

Solanki admired outgoing state Congress president Arjun Modhwadia for his hard work and efforts. He said Modhwadia did his job in tough time for party as state party president and leader of opposition. He asked party workers to give applause in respect of Modhwadia.

“Who created a situation that we need to wear masks today? Whether it is healthcare or support prices to farmers or other issues, there are lot of issues pertaining to present government. The BJP government in Gujarat earns Rs. 1,10,000 crore revenue, but 30% of it goes to middlemen and those in nexus,” he said.

“Assembly election will take place after some time, but there are local body and panchayat elections scheduled to be held later this year. And 50% seats will be reserved for women in these elections. We need to unite our women and youths and link them to party work. There’s opportunity for everyone who wishes to join Congress. Our doors are open.”

“There’s great expectation, but as Shankersinh Bapu said, one person can’t do much, we will all work together.”

“What happened in Delhi, what shall happen in Bihar, these things are in public domain, but a person in Delhi(Narendra Modi) belongs to Gujarat and we need to shake his foundations in Gujarat.”

As soon as Solanki completed his 12 minute long speech, there was a sound of Ajan from nearby mosque which paused the public meeting for some time.

Speaking in this public meeting, leader of opposition Shankersinh Vaghela said, “take whatever job Solanki assigned to you. Support any Congress candidate picked up by him to contest the election. Accept the job of fielder, boweler or betting whatever he assigns, but don’t fix the match.

In his speech, Gujarat Congress incharge Gurudas Kamath said that in Rajasthan, the gap of votes between Congress and BJP was as wide as 17%, but just in 10 months in recently held local elections, Congress could raise its level and gap of votes was just 2%. He said there are opportunities and challenges both associated with the future of Congress party in Gujarat.

Glimpses of speeches at this function

Editor’s observation

2 Patel leaders of Gujarat Congress Dinsha Patel, Siddharth Patel skip Bharatsinh Solanki's installation function "for unavoidable reasons"

— Japan K Pathak (@JapanPathak) March 7, 2015

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