Ahmadabad: Political temperatures have risen again in Gujarat over the past several days regarding liquor and drug-related issues.
A major controversy erupted when Congress MLA from Vadgam, Jignesh Mevani, issued an aggressive warning to “strip off the badges” of police officers. He also accused the police of “profiting from liquor sales.”
Following this, Gujarat’s Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi sparked further controversy by allegedly describing Jignesh Mevani as someone “lacking in values.”
Now, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Gopal Italia has also entered the fray, launching sharp attacks on Harsh Sanghvi over the liquor and drugs issue.
Earlier, AAP’s Dediyapada MLA Chaitar Vasava had also voiced support for Jignesh Mevani on this matter.
What does AAP leaders’ support for Congress on the liquor and drugs issue indicate? Why are most opposition leaders targeting Harsh Sanghvi?
How did the controversy begin?
Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani from Vadgam recently reached the SP office with residents of Shivanagar in Tharad and then sharply criticized police operations regarding alleged sales of liquor and drugs.
During this, he aggressively warned to “strip off the badges” of police officers.
In Tharad, he accused the police of “earning money from liquor” and made aggressive demands to immediately control illegal sales.
Also read: Ahmedabad Named Official Host City For 2030 Commonwealth Games Centenary Edition
This prompted a response from Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, who told police they “need not worry” and added: “People who consider themselves highly educated, holding multiple degrees, but who lack proper values will come to your office. They will talk about removing your badges and getting you dismissed from service.”
Amid this war of words between the two leaders, some police families held a rally on Monday opposing Jignesh Mevani and demanding his resignation.
Subsequently, on November 26, thousands rallied in Tharad in support of Jignesh Mevani. Leaders including Congress MP from Banaskantha Geniben Thakor and Gulabsinh Rajput participated in this rally.
AAP leaders including Gopal Italia also offer support
Amid this ongoing chain of controversies and protests, AAP leader and Vijapur MLA Gopal Italia also presented his views to the public via social media on November 26.
In this live video, he launched sharp attacks on Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi regarding liquor and drugs in Gujarat.
Gopal Italia stated, “I want to tell Harsh Sanghvi, who is using Gujarat Police as a tool, that if you want to organize ‘Jignesh Mevani down, down…’ chants, use IPS officers’ families, don’t turn ordinary constables into tools.”
“Don’t use junior police personnel as shields to protect yourself. Don’t do such dark deeds that you cannot show your face when power changes.”
He said, “Who benefits from the spread of liquor, gambling, and drugs in Gujarat? Due to failed leaders in Gujarat, the police department has also been disgraced. BJP leaders are causing conflict between police and public.”
He also cited several newspaper clippings and media reports to accuse Harsh Sanghvi of “misbehavior with police and bad conduct in public life.”
Gopal Italia stated, “Gujarat doesn’t look good in the hands of such ridiculous people. This is the land of Gandhiji and Ravishankar Maharaj. It’s Gujarat’s misfortune that someone with no seriousness holds a post like Home Minister.”
Earlier, Chaitar Vasava had attacked Harsh Sanghvi by reposting Jignesh Mevani’s tweet. He allegedly accused Harsh Sanghvi of having connections with drug peddlers.
However, Harsh Sanghvi has not responded to this series of statements from various leaders so far.
Meanwhile, Gandhinagar South MLA Alpesh Thakor said, “This has now become a political issue.”
Notably, Alpesh Thakor has previously led movements regarding de-addiction including liquor in Gujarat.
Why did Gopal Italia support Mevani?
Political analyst and expert on North Gujarat politics Rajesh Thakar believes Jignesh Mevani has strategically utilized public sentiment.
He says, “Today, if anyone claims police behavior with citizens is good in Gujarat, or that liquor is unavailable in Gujarat, nobody would agree. On the other hand, it’s also a fact that the police department is always a soft target. In this situation, instead of writing letters to the government or submitting applications, Jignesh Mevani directly chose a path that makes people feel this person works among the public and raises issues.”
He adds, “Jignesh Mevani is doing populist politics, but alongside this, Harsh Sanghvi’s statements and the police families’ rally have accelerated this matter.”
“You see Chaitar Vasava and Anant Patel, Geniben Thakor and Alpesh Thakor appearing on one platform, and now Gopal Italia has also supported Jignesh Mevani on this issue. They’re trying to achieve their respective caste calculations behind this. Besides, if one person is fighting against BJP and another stays silent on the issue, it sends a wrong message. Therefore, currently leaders are setting aside party lines to build a narrative against the government, so that tomorrow nobody can say they stayed silent.”
Senior journalist and former editor of Fulchhab daily Kaushik Mehta says, “What the situation is regarding corruption, drugs, and liquor in Gujarat is as clear as daylight. The plain reality is that the government has completely failed in this matter, but since the issue has been raised with such courage, turmoil is natural. However, neither leader’s language is appropriate.”
He adds, “Municipal elections are approaching, so it’s natural for AAP-Congress to calculate that some issue might harm BJP.”
Why is Harsh Sanghvi in opposition’s crosshairs?
Opposition leaders including Gopal Italia, Jignesh Mevani, and Chaitar Vasava are continuously attacking Harsh Sanghvi.
Kaushik Mehta says, “The reality is that despite being in government for 30 years, if these evils aren’t eliminated, it’s a major failure. During Keshubhai’s government, a ‘Goondagiri Eradication Committee’ was formed. If you still haven’t eliminated these evils, it shows you lack political will.”
Regarding the targeting of Harsh Sanghvi, he says, “Everyone knows who runs the government. Therefore, it’s also natural that attacks will be directed at Harsh Sanghvi.”
Rajesh Thakar says, “Harsh Sanghvi is naturally a soft target for opposition because there’s an impression that he handles Gujarat’s power equations instead of CR Patil. Despite Bhupendra Patel being Chief Minister, he’s not as active. Moreover, since he holds the Home portfolio, when questions arise about law and order in Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi’s name naturally comes up.”
He adds, “The current situation is such that if Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi is targeted, questions automatically arise against the entire government, and that’s exactly what the opposition is doing.”
-
-
-
-
