With lok Sabha polls due in less than a year, discontent surfaced in Gujarat Congress as Koli leaders from Saurashtra region assembled on Sunday to express concern over representation to their community in Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC).
In a show strength and unity, over 100 prominent Koli leaders from different parts of Saurashtra that include senior MP Kuvarji Bavalia, three Koli MlA and Gujarat Congress vice president Jethalal Jora remained present. Bavalia, who remained MlA for four terms played instrumental role to arrange the meeting at his hometown Jasdan, around 50 km from Rajkot.
The Koli leaders also discussed on issues like ignorance of Koli community in distribution of tickets in last Assembly and lok Sabha elections. Four-time MlA from Bavalia, a strong Koli leader said, “Of the total votes in Saurashtra region, Kolis are having lion’s share of more than 20 per cent. Despite the fact Congress high command did injustice to the community in distribution of tickets in last Assembly and general elections.”
Even within Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) organisation, Kolis are not given sufficient representation, said Bavalia, who won from Rajkot Constituency, a traditional BJP bastion in 2009 lok Sabha elections.
Sources said that Bavalia was expecting berth in Union Ministry during last reshuffle in Manmohan Singh Cabinet but he was not considered. Even he didn’t get place in GPCC officer bearer’s list of GPCC. However, Bavalia maintains that not only him but Saurashtra’s other Koli leaders loyal to Congress party are constantly ignored by the party leadership.
He, however, said that Koli leaders would raise their voice within the party and if the high command continues to ignore them, they would not mind to think some alternate ways. “Forget Saurashtra region, but in entire Gujarat, no party can afford to disregard the Koli community, which is highest in population of the State,” said a senior community leader.
“Traditionally Kolis are Congress supporters. Despite the fact the community is not getting sufficient importance. Over the past few years many from the community shifted their loyalty towards BJP. Former Congress MlA Devji Fatepara was latest casualty who jumped to BJP fold just before the by elections in 2013. The meeting was intended to bring this fact in the eyes of party leaders and curb such movement,” said Jethalal Jora, GPCC vice president.
Just before the by-polls in Gujarat, Congress MP from Porbander and leuva Patel leader in Saurashtra region Vithal Radadia joined BJP. Radadia presence in the saffron party made difference in four constituencies of Saurashtra that include Dhoraji, Jetpur and limdi Assembly seats and Porbander lok Sabha seat. Radadia also expected a place in Union Ministry but he was not considered. The angry Patel ultimately joined BJP.
