Even though elections to the Gujarat Assembly are due only next December, the State Congress has planned to launch its election campaign by the end of this month itself, apprehending that Chief Minister Narendra Modi might opt for an early election.
“Surrounded by scams and corruption and troubled by its own maladministration, Mr. Modi may not have any option but to go in for dissolution of the State Assembly and call for early elections. We are getting ready to face any such eventuality,” the former Chief Minister and new chairman of the election campaign committee Shankarsinh Waghela said.
State Congress president Arjun Modhvadia and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Shaktisinh Gohil were also present.
Accusing Mr. Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party of adopting “double standards,” Mr. Waghela wondered what was worrying the “self-certified cleanest Chief Minister” that he was taking the issue of the “legally appointed” Lokayukta to the streets when he and the party were demanding appointment of the “strongest possible” Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in other States.
‘Running away’
Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Modhvadia said when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could invite the Opposition leaders in Parliament to personally probe his assets, it was shocking that Mr. Modi was “running away” from the Lokayukta.
Mr. Waghela said the details collected by the State Congress and submitted to President Pratibha Patil, and the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India indicate corruption to the extent of over Rs. one lakh crore.
He said Mr. Modi was worried that the Lokayukta might “expose” him and therefore opt for the dissolution of the Assembly and an early election, in order to prevent the ombudsman from proceeding with his investigation.
Team Congress
Mr. Waghela, who at one time was said to be toying with the idea of quitting the Congress after being “ignored” for a long time, said the party would contest the next Assembly elections as a “Team Congress,” sinking all differences.
He said the party would launch its election campaign on September 28, the first day of the “Navratri,” with a rally in Bhuj after offering prayers at Mata-ni-Madh temple and Hajipir Dargah, both in Kutch district.
On September 30, a similar rally would be held in Bhuj after offering prayers at the famous Ambaji temple.
