Thaindian News

Gandhinagar, April 19 (IANS) Even as the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat is working to organise extensive celebrations beginning May 1 to celebrate the state’s golden jubilee, the Congress Monday flagged off its own “Gujarat gaurav yatra” (pride procession).

Leader of the Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil flagged off the yatra from Somnath, to mark 50 years of Gujarat’s statehood and 125 years of the Congress party.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that simplicity should mark “Swarnim Gujarat” celebrations.

“It is not proper to waste crores of rupees from the state coffers. It is an insult to the people when Rs.7 crore is given from the state treasury to a film company just for a seven-minute song at a time when there is no increase in the pension for widows, employees on fixed salary are not getting full amount, youth are not getting employment, farmers are not getting electricity and security is provided only for the chief minister,” Gohil added.

He recalled that when the state came into being, the president of the Mahagujarat Ladat Samiti Ravishankar Maharaj said there should not be any statue or memorial to him and public money should be spent on the development of Gujarat and to help needy persons.

“Not even a paisa should be spent on gratification of one’s ego. It is time that the present political leadership of the state reflects on these words,” he added.

Gohil said the yatra will cover every village of the state, enlightening the people about Gujarat and explain the developmental goals of the party. “We propose to acquaint ourselves with the problems of the rural areas and take them up with the government,” he added.