Paresh Dhanani says no to official car, security

In a welcome move, leader of opposition Paresh Dhanani declined on Thursday to avail the official car he is entitled to and also said he did not need any security personnel.

The 41-year-old MLA from Amreli was appointed as leader of opposition recently, which entitles him to an official car, as well as two security personnel, akin to what cabinet ministers in the state are eligible for as per protocol.

Dhanani, however, turned down the official car and also told government officials that he did not need any security personnel.

"By the grace of God, I have my own car, and I do not need one from the government even if I am entitled to one as the leader of opposition," the three-term MLA told DNA, when asked the reason for declining an official vehicle.

"I have not done any thing that makes security personnel necessary for me," Dhanani said on a lighter note while stating why he had refused the security too.

However, the Congress leader clarified that he would be using the government bungalow provided to him in official capacity in Gandhinagar.

The young Patidar leader and farmer's son was handpicked as the leader of opposition by Congress president Rahul Gandhi to corner the government in the Assembly, and to lead his party's charge in the state ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Dhanani has defeated BJP heavyweights in each of his three election wins and is known as a giant killer. He had defeated now Union minister Purushottam Rupala in 2002, former minister Dileep Sanghani in 2012, and another senior leader Bavaku Undhad in the recent elections.