Exuding confidence to surpass 150 seats target in the Gujarat Assembly polls, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the State has witnessed unprecedented development during last 17 years and Gujarat is a leading State in the country on many counts.
When asked about his frequent references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for developing Gujarat, Rupani said there is “no harm” to work under Modi and Amit Shah for the development of the State. Talking to The Pioneer, the Chief Minister said, “Modiji has achieved so much in his 13 years of Chief Ministership. I often seek his advice for the development and welfare of 6.5 crore Gujaratis. Amit Shah is an experienced hand when it comes to governance. He gives valuable inputs on developmental fronts, hence, I don’t see any crime if I consult them over the development issues.”
“As Chief Minister, it’s my bounden duty to ensure that justice is delivered and the last man of the society reaps the benefits of all-round development in the State. I always seek Prime Minister’s advice and guidance and valuable tips on governance and improving public delivery from the BJP president” Rupani said.
Asked about the Assembly elections in the State later this year, the Chief Minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party would get over 150 seats. “There is no fight at all as main Opposition Congress is in total disarray”, the CM said.
“When Modiji was the Chief Minister, he got 122 seats in last Assembly elections. This time we are hopeful that we would get over 150 seats in the Assembly elections.”
Rupani also said the recent split in the Congress will help the BJP in making a good comeback in the State.
“The split in the Congress has helped us. And I feel that the split has broken the Congress backbone in the State,” said the Chief Minister, referring to the 14 Congress MlAs leaving the party before the August 8 Rajya Sabha elections. “With formidable Patel leader Raghavji Patel of Jamnagar joining the BJP, the backbone of the Congress has been broken”, the CM added.
“The 13 Congress MlAs have already joined the BJP, except Shankar Bhai (Shankersinh Vaghela),” Rupani said.
Asked about his major achievements and decisions taken by him during one year of his stewardship, the Chief Minister said, “In the last one year, I have taken over 475 decisions for the State to take forward the legacy of good governance model of Modiji”.
“When I became the Chief Minister, I said it clearly that my Government’s priority would be on four main issues, first transparency, second decisive, third sensitive and fourth progressive”, he added.
Referring to his visit to flood-affected Banaskantha, the Chief Minister said, “I took the Government to the doorstep of flood-affected people. I camped there for five days and instantly announced a package of Rs 15,000 crore for the people. This shows Government is sensitive to its people.” He invited mediapersons to visit and see for themselves the work done by the Gujarat Government in helping the flood-affected people.
Rupani said he has taken many decisions to deliver the fruits of governance to the people. “My major decisions include Seva Setu scheme, in which the Government officials visit the villages and fulfils their needs such as getting several certificates, adding or deleting the names from the electoral list and many more”, the CM added.
When asked about the possibility of emergence of third front in the State to counter the BJP with the Aam Aadmi Party, Hardik Patel and many other parties coming into the State, he said, “The people of Gujarat has never accepted the third front in the State. And in Gujarat it is only the BJP and the Congress who are sought to be the main competitors.”
Rupani ruled out that Patidar agitation was any factor in the ensuing elections saying the agitation had been diluted by his Government. He added that any political alliance in the Gujarat by these communities would only bolster the BJP’s poll prospects.
Talking about other measures taken by his Government against cow slaughter, Rupani said the Gujarat Government has enacted a strong legislation that provides life imprisonment for cow slaughter in the State. This, the CM said, aimed at protecting milch animals and not to evoke religious sentiments ahead of elections.
Similarly, all hookah bars have been shut down in the State as complete prohibition is already enforced on consumption of liquor. Anyone found selling or manufacturing illicit liquor will be dealt with strictly, Rupani said adding that the offence will also attract imprisonment for life.
The Gujarat Government has also passed two legislations for regulating fee structures in private schools and regularising unauthorised colonies with over 8 lakh houses. He said the Government will ensure that excess fee collected by the schools will be refunded to parents.