Former union minister and senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela on Monday said that a state reorganisation commission should be constituted to consider the demands of new states.
Talking to newsmen in the backdrop of demands being raised for separate states including Telangana, Vidarbha and Kutchh, Vaghela said creation of small states carved out from Assam has not served the purpose as they are very small states consisting of two districts.
Mr. Vaghela, who was here to lead a Congress party rally marking 125th anniversary of foundation of the party, criticised Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for spending huge amounts for the publicity of festivals like Kankaria Carnival, Vibrant Gujarat and others.
He also criticised Mr. Modi’s announcement to hold 50 “Garib Kalyan Melas” (economic welfare camps for the poorest of poor) and disbursing Rs 1500 crore amongst 25 lakh poor families in the state within next three months.
Reminding promises and announcements made by Mr. Modi during the last four Vibrant Gujarat Summits to ensure jobs to 45 lakh youths in the state, Mr. Vaghela said,”the real position is that even 4500 youths have not got jobs till today.”
Mr. Vaghela said only 15 per cent of total projects announced during last four Gujarat Summits were implemented.
The leader alleged that state government was using Rs 7000 crore meant for setting up new power plants in the state, for the purchasing power from the private parties.
On law and order front, the situation in state is getting worse and incidents of gold chain snatching have become rampant, he said.
Mr. Vaghela said Congress is determined to throw BJP out of power in state Assembly elections to be held in 2012, but before that the party has geared up to defeat its saffron rival in the local civic bodies and panchayat elections scheduled to be held in the state in 2010.
The leader described passage of Mandatory Voting Bill by Gujarat Assembly a hasty decision, saying it could have been done after through discussions.
The ruling BJP got it passed because it wants to take advantage in the local bodies elections next year, Mr. Vaghela said.
