Patel vows to continue fight

By Our Special Correspondent

AHMEDABAD, JULY 8. The Ahmedabad railway station today presented an unprecedented scenario in the history of the Gujarat Congress(I), when Mr. Ahmed Patel arrived from Delhi after relinquishing the post of AICC(I) treasurer.

The number of persons present both inside the railway platform and outside, and later at the circuit house where he addressed his supporters briefly, unlike in most other Congress(I) congregations, conveyed the impression of genuine Congress(I) men having come from different parts of the State to give a grand reception to their ``leader.'' An overwhelmed Mr. Patel later said he did not even dream of such a reception, particularly after he was returning as a virtual ``no body'' in the party. Denying that it was a ``show of strength,'' Mr. Patel said it was the ``strength'' of the Congress(I) and he would do his best to channelise it to fight against the ``BJP misrule'' in the State and at the Centre. Pointing out that only a united Congress(I) would be able to effectively fight against the BJP, Mr. Patel promised to take all ``necessary initiative'' to bring the two warring factions of the party together, but at the same time strongly condemned the June 27 convention of the Madhavsinh Solanki group in Gandhinagar which ``betrayed the very purpose of convening it.''

He said by indulging in mud-slinging on its own leaders, the June 27 convention of the Solanki faction did not really help the party cause of strengthening it. He said the party high command was closely watching the video recording of the convention to decide on a suitable disciplinary action against those who breached party discipline.

He, however, disassociated himself from the demand of the official faction to take disciplinary action against Mr. Solnaki himself, but said it was for the high command to take a decision on the demand voiced by the PCC(I) president, Mr C. D. Patel, and the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Mr. Amarsinh Chaudhary.

Mr. Patel, who became the main target of attack at the Solanki faction convention, said he, on his part, harboured no ill- feelings against anyone. ``I am neither angry nor shocked and only pray to God to give my critics the wisdom to behave in the larger interests of the party,'' he said.

Denying he resigned because of any differences with Mr. Vincent George, the secretary to the party president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, or because he was the target of attack at the Solanki convention, he said he was only peeved by the criticism that he was misusing his position as the AICC(I) treasurer and encouraging factionalism in the party. ``If my quitting the AICC(I) office can bring the warring factions together, I am ready for any personal sacrifices for the larger interest of the party,'' he said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : State to announce new excise policy soon
Next     : BJP Mahila Morcha's call to women