It Happens only in Gujarat:All Political Parties unite for state’s progress

One-year-long Swarnim Gujarat celebrations will be an apolitical affair, pledge leaders


n a rare show of unity, political leaders from different hues on Friday vowed to bury their differences and work together for the progress of the state. 

As many as 520 former and present MLAs and MPs of Gujarat, including Chief Minister Narendra Modi, and his predecessors Madhavsinh Solanki and Keshubhai Patel, took pledge to not to allow petty politics halt Gujarat’s development at Swarnim Gujarat Legislative Conference held at Assembly hall from 2.30 pm. 

They also said year-long Swarnim Gujarat celebrations, which will tee off on May 1, 2010, would be an apolitical affair — for Gujaratis, of Gujaratis, by Gujaratis.

Addressing the conference, Modi said: “Every Gujarati has contributed to the development of the state. If all Gujaratis take a step forward, there will be 5.5 crore steps towards development.”

Going a step ahead, Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said: “Development is present in the gene of every Gujarati. There are 6.5 crore Gujaratis, including NRGs. If we work together for the development of the state, nothing is impossible.” 

He also said: “There should be mass participation in Swarnim Gujarat celebrations. It should not be a show of strength of any political outfit.”

Former chief minister Solanki said: “Gujarat has given birth to several national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Purushottam Mavlankar. If we give up politics, Gujarat will develop fast.”

Patel, another predecessor of Modi, said: “If we are united, we can go a long way. Uplift of the standard of life of the poor will herald true development of Gujarat. Our target should be high.”

Veteran BJP leader LK Advani said: “Hardly one can see all political parties working together for the development of a state. Gujarat has set an example through Swarnim Gujarat for others to follow.”

Lauding Gujaratis’ zeal to succeed, Governor Dr Kamla said: “Gujaratis don’t give up any task mid-way. If they take up an assignment, they complete it successfully.” 

She added, “Every political party contributed to the state’s progress. I’m from Rajasthan. It has adopted several things practised in Gujarat.”

Total 750 former and present MLAs and MPs, including five former chief ministers, were invited to Swarnim Gujarat Legislative Conference. Barring 230, the rest turned up. Of the five former chief ministers invited, two showed up at the event that continued up to 4.15 pm. Speaker Ashok Bhatt, BJP state president Purshottam Rupala, three Union ministers Dinsa Patel, Bharatsinh Solanki and Tusar Choudhry, and two former governors Viren Shah and Kumud Joshi were present among others. Pictures of all the late chief ministers and speakers were unveiled at the exhibition hall in the Assembly during the meet.