Even after the results of polls to local self-Government bodies, political heat is still on in Gujarat as parties are continuously blaming each other over taking control of more number of local bodies which would be beneficial for them in the upcoming Assembly elections to be held in 2017.
The president of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Bharatsinh Solanki has alleged that the ruling BJP is adopting undemocratic ways to flatter the elected members of his party in the district as well as taluka (tehsil) panchayats to regain control over the rural areas. “They (BJP) are using pressure tactics as well as enticing elected members of the Congress party to change side,” claimed the GPCC president.
In the recently-held local body polls, the Congress won majority of district and taluka panchayats which were earlier controlled by the saffron party. Of the 31 district panchayats and 230 taluka panchayats that went to polls, the Opposition Congress party won 23 and 132 respectively. On the other hand BJP leaders have blamed on the opposition Congress party for unethically utilising ongoing pro-quota stir of Patel community to get undue advantage in the local body polls.
Reacting on that Solanki argued that the ruling party is unable to digest rout in the panchayat elections. Now the State BJP leadership is approaching the victorious Congress members to cross over to the saffron party to gain majority in panchayat bodies where Congress has majority. Citing examples of BJP’s method, he said that in the past too BJP took over the control of Banaskantha, Gandhinagar and Kheda district panchayats by enticing Congress members. “Now they are repeating the same tactics again to control rural Gujarat,” he added.
The Gujarat Congress went on to say that the elected Congress members in Panchayat bodies are being lured with money and posts to join the BJP and in case of denial they are threatened with dire consequences. In fact to check the alleged migration towards the saffron party, the Congress has find out a new tactic in some panchayat bodies where the elected members have to sign an affidavit that they would resign from their elected offices if they join BJP.
On the other hand BJP refuted the allegations made by Solanki saying that the saffron party would not make any such attempt. However, the party would definitely welcome those members who left the party earlier and willing to come back in BJP fold, said a senior BJP leader.