AAP MLA Gopal Italia slams BJP for ignoring Keshubhai Patel in Surat felicitation programme

Aam Aadmi Party's Visavadar MLA Gopal Italia raised concerns over a recent felicitation programme organized by the BJP in Surat, saying that the event overlooked the contributions of late Keshubhai Patel, the former Gujarat Chief Minister and a key Patidar leader.

Speaking about the programme, Italia said, “Many leaders, including the Chief Minister, attended this felicitation programme, but one greater leader was not even remembered by anyone. Call him a Patel leader, a Leuva Patel leader, or a leader of the villages—by whatever emotion and respect one may address him—Bapa, that is late Keshubhai Patel, who defeated the Congress that had ruled continuously since independence from 1952 and formed the BJP government in Gujarat for the first time in 1995. This great Patidar leader was not even remembered by anyone in today’s programme. Have the ministers sitting in today’s programme become so great that they are bigger than Keshubhai Patel?”

Italia questioned the purpose of the event, suggesting it served personal and political interests rather than public recognition. “In the name of this felicitation programme, a conspiracy to mislead society, make society a tool, and serve personal interests has come to light. On what merit have the people who have become ministers today been made ministers? Just by roaming around as obedient followers of Modiji and getting any post in the BJP and being felicitated—where is the capability in that? Where is the knowledge in that? Where is the experience in that?” he asked.

He also highlighted what he said were Keshubhai Patel’s notable contributions to Gujarat’s development. “Keshubhai Patel was the first leader in Gujarat’s history who gave two slogans: 1. There is only one Dada—Hanuman Dada; no other dada, no goons needed. 2. Stop rainwater, meaning rainwater should not be allowed to flow into rivers and drains and go into the sea, but should be stopped by building check dams. In Gujarat’s history, the first slogan to stop rainwater was given by Keshubhai Patel. But today, there has been no shortage in praising Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil. This one person is portrayed as a great man and everyone else is treated as insignificant.”

Italia further criticized the current handling of water projects in the state. “C.R. Patil should have said that I am the Jal Shakti Minister and I will fulfil Keshubhai Patel’s unfinished dream. By completing the Kalpasar project, all the tidal water coming into the Gulf of Khambhat will be stopped through the Kalpasar project and the entire Kathiawad will be made green. Why was this not said? Everything is being left to God. Someone should ask the BJP government what exactly is this felicitation for.”

He alleged corruption in the ministry and expressed concern about unfulfilled developmental plans. “After C.R. Patil became the Union Jal Shakti Minister, grants worth crores of rupees are being used in rampant corruption. I am an MLA from the same constituency from where Keshubhai Patel was an MLA. I am seeing everything—corruption worth billions of rupees is being carried out in the Ministry of Jal Shakti only so that BJP leaders can earn. If the BJP had allowed Keshubhai Patel’s government to function, the Kalpasar project would have been completed by now and the entire Kathiawad would have been green. If Keshubhai Patel or Sardar Patel were alive, would Gujarat be like this?”

Italia concluded by questioning the intent behind the programme. “Since Keshubhai Patel was not remembered in today’s programme and the Kalpasar project was not discussed, this programme was not for society but for those who shuffle files,” he said.