Laxman drops a bombshell at Gujarat convention

Laxman drops a bombshell at Gujarat convention
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

GANDHINAGAR, JAN 12: Bhartiya Janata Party president Bangaru Laxman created a flutter at the state-level workers' convention held here last evening when he expressed shock over the ``rampant corruption'' being indulged in by certain party leaders and ministers in the State which, he said, was bringing a bad name to the party.

``We have promised people to give a corruption-free society and transform Gujarat into a model state. But there are reports of rampant corruption being indulged in by some party workers, leaders and even ministers in the state. This must be stopped, as it is sending wrong signals to the masses,'' Laxman said.

The BJP chief's remarks stunned the state leaders present in the jam-packed Gandhinagar Town Hall. Among those present were Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, members of his Cabinet, office-bearers of state BJP and chairpersons of various boards and corporations. But at least a part of the audience applauded his candour.

``You may not have witnesses to prove the corruption charges. The people may not file FIRs or there may not be any chargesheet against corrupt workers, leaders and ministers. But the masses are now becoming increasingly well aware of what the rulers are doing and give their fitting verdict through the ballot box,'' Laxman said.

Referring to the BJP's debacle in the recently-held municipal and panchayat elections in the state, Laxman said, ``Like a kumbh mela held in Allahabad every 12 years, a `kumbh mela' had begun in Gujarat 12 years ago and the people had since then been filling the BJP's pot with votes. But, things went wrong in 2000."

He advised the state unit leadership to do some serious introspection into the circumstances that led to the poll reverses.``The electorate has taught us a lesson. We have still enough scope and time to mend our ways, as a major battle is yet to be fought in Gujarat,'' he said, referring to the Assmebly elections due in 2003.

The talks of establishing a `Ram Rajya' will not serve any purpose; Ram Rajya cannot be established unless the party cadres do some hard and concrete work for the overall welfare of the masses, Laxman said. He exhorted the party workers to spread the base of the organisation by bringing into the party fold people belonging to all castes, classes and religions.

Even as the national BJP president pulled back no punches over the party's poll debacle, CM Patel sought to blame the party workers for having failed to take the message of the government's achievements to the masses during the election campaign. ``The party is our religion, and it is the workers' duty to protect it,'' he said.

Taking a dig at dissident ministers and party leaders for airing their views in public on the BJP's reverses, the Chief Minister said, ``Whatever grievances you have, these should be aired in the party fora. Do you know the BJP continues to enjoy popular support in Gujarat even now, and a recent survey conducted by a news magazine has shown it?''