Days after the BJP government in Gujarat accused the Congress of inciting violence against north Indians, the Congress on Friday hit back by demanding that the Centre impose President’s Rule in the State after sacking Chief Minister Vijay Rupani for failing to maintain law and order.
At a press conference at the party’s headquarters, Shaktisinh Gohil, senior Congress leader from Gujarat, said the exodus from the State in the wake of attacks on north Indians following the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district “indicates that law and order in the State has collapsed”.
Mr. Gohil said the violence was a BJP conspiracy to drive out people from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, among others, who worked in the State’s industrial units. He cited official figures of the Railways to show that data showing a 137% jump in passenger traffic over the corresponding period last year was proof of an exodus.
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The Congress leader said 165 FIRs had been filed in connection with the violence. He released photos that appeared to show some of the key accused alongside BJP lawmakers.
Condemning the ‘objectionable language’ used by Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor in the aftermath of the rape, Mr. Gohil, however, defended Mr. Thakor and said the legislator had helped to maintain peace in Sabarkantha.