After Shaktisinh Gohil stepped down as the Gujarat Congress chief, the hunt for a successor turned murky. Soon, a viral message on social media platforms claimed that a former president, an OBC leader, was reappointed, sparking confusion. Congress insiders suspect this was a planted move by his rivals to sabotage his chances. While no one has claimed responsibility, the damage was done to his succession. Meanwhile, more than 15 Congress leaders rushed to Delhi to lobby with Rahul Gandhi, triggering buzz that one of them might land the top post. The misleading social media message declaring a new state chief only deepened the internal chaos.
BJP ex-dist chief’s graft claims on MLA sparks row
The simmering internal rift in Gujarat’s Vallabhipur BJP in Bhavnagar district has burst into the open, with its former district BJP president Mukesh Langaliya launching a scathing attack on the local MLA. The flashpoint came during a felicitation event for 37 village sarpanches in Limda, where Langaliya openly criticised the way of working of the BJP legislator. He accused the MLA of protecting a coterie of corrupt aides and alleged rampant corruption in causeway construction, Mamlatdar office projects, and National Highway works. The fact that such charges come from a BJP leader against his own MLA has sparked a row.
CM’s ‘insensitive’ remark on bridge collapse
The collapse of the central span of the Gambhira Bridge over the Mahi River, which connects the towns of Anand and Padra, caused two trucks, two pickup vans, and a rickshaw to sink into the river, resulting in the deaths of at least twenty people. In response, the Gujarat government announced Rs 4 lakh relief to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. However, CM Bhupendra Patel’s statement on X (formerly Twitter), calling it the collapse of “one of 23 spans”, has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and citizens. Further, BJP leaders echoed similar downplaying language, fuelling public outrage over the perceived insensitivity.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya
Our correspondent in Gujarat
dilipsingh@newindianexpress.com