Tension ahead of Narendra Modi's Vansda visit

The rivalry between Congress and BJP workers intensified before chief minister Narendra Modi’s programme at Vansda town in Navsari district on Monday.

Barely 24 hours before the CM’s visit, a war of flags and banners started between the two parties and had it not been the timely intervention of senior leaders things would have turned ugly.

With the programme scheduled for Monday, BJP workers in Navsari district have been working overtime to place party flags and banners at all important points across Vansda town. Congress leaders, however, objected the move and immediately contacted district collector Sandhya Bhullar.

This was because Congress leaders had asked permission to place flags and banners at Vansda town, which was accepted by the collector. After getting the permission, Congress workers began placing flags and banners at every spot where BJP had placed theirs.

Learning about the development, BJP workers rushed to Vansda town and got into a verbal spat with Congress workers. However, before situation could deteriorate, leaders of both parties pacified their workers.

Congress MP (Valsad-Dangs) Kishan Patel said that against two lakh applications made under Forest Land Act, only 22,000 have been accepted by the state government.

“The BJP is widely doing propaganda of the programme. It is a show-off and wastage of government money. Congress has played an active role in implementation of Forest Land Act and it should also have a place in government programme organised in Vansda,” said Patel.