‘People of Gujarat have left no space for Opposition… I construe it as directive to keep mum’: Senior Congress leader

AS RAHUL Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra traverses through Gujarat, the Congress has seen a string of leaders leave, including a former state chief. Paresh Dhanani, one of the party’s senior leaders, and a former Leader of the Opposition, who has been part of preparations for the Yatra, says the Congress is not losing sleep over the leaders who are leaving, and argues why there is a positive side to it.

Edited excerpts:

* The Congress has seen some more leaders leave for the BJP, including former state chief Arjun Modhwadia and ex-MLA Ambarish Der.

We had got Ambarishbhai on loan (hinting at his party-hopping). We are happy we have repaid the loan. Arjunbhai turning against the party is painful indeed. However, it is not the first such instance, nor is it likely to be the last… I believe the BJP has welcomed 82 Congress leaders of MLA and MP ranks over the past 20 years.

If one were to ask the common man, he would be able to recognise only eight of those 82… and only two-five names which are relevant today. I believe the BJP is unable to seek votes on the basis of its work and therefore, with saam, daam, dand, bhed (hook or crook), it is crushing faces who raise their voice against its regime.

The coming elections will see new polarisation as those in power are not able to address the issues of the people, and are forcing those who do, to join it and suppress the people. It will be a contest of netas versus people. I am confident the results will be shocking.

* Modhwadia was part of the meetings for Nyay Yatra till a day before he defected to the BJP.

The BJP appears to be holding bharti melas (recruitment fairs) to get Opposition workers, and to keep its own grass-root workers in check… We are happy that the people may be