Will Bapu take political ‘sanyas’? Gandhinagar corridors abuzz

Will leader of Opposition in assembly and senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela announce his political ‘sanyas’ on his birthday on July 21? At a press conference in Gandhinagar on Tuesday, Vaghela said he would hold a convention at Mahatma Mandir where he would be making a big announcement.

“Generally, I do not celebrate my birthday, but this time, my supporters have forced me to do so and they have made all preparations. Besides my supporters, all MLAs from the Opposition, including the NCP, have been invited to remain present at the convention to be held on my birthday. I will give a special message on that day. People have been asking me questions and they will get the answers that day.” Vaghela refused to reveal more, insisting that people wait till July 21. 

A senior Congress leader said, “Bapu is facing pressure from the BJP high command. Last week, when I was in Delhi, I learnt that the BJP was threatening to reopen the case against him and initiate CBI inquiry. It is likely that Vaghela has buckled down to the pressure.” The leader alleged a senior BJP leader had been making threats to Vaghela.

However, Vaghela remained tightlipped about his future course of action, only stating that whatever message he would give, would be in the interests of common people. He also said he would also throw some light over his past meetings with the Congress high command.

The former CM said the Centre should give time to the business community and should roll back GST for one year. He also slammed the state for providing urea at higher rates than any other state.

What is the case?

On June 17, 2015, CBI had conducted raids at four places in Delhi, three in Mumbai, and one each at Gandhinagar and Kolkata, including Vaghela’s residence ‘Vasant Vagdo’ on the outskirts of Gandhinagar. 

As per the FIR launched against Vagehla, he had entered into a criminal conspiracy when he was the union textile minister in the UPA-1 government and had wrongfully transferred land to a Kolkata-based private firm at Rs29.35 crore, causing losses of Rs709.27 crore to the government. 

The CBI claimed it had recovered Rs13.33 lakh in searches at Vaghela’s residence in Gandhinagar. 

Vaghela, however, had alleged the raids were motivated by political vendetta and some senior BJP leader was guiding CBI officials over phone from New Delhi. He had also said the CBI official had found nothing except several visiting cards and letter heads in the search op.

Cong leaders at Vaghela residence

Following Vaghela’s announcement, senior Congress leaders and the core team of the party unit in the state rushed to his residence in the evening. They tried to placate Vaghela and urged him not to take any harsh decision in haste. Senior leader and former party chief Siddharth Patel said, “We had gone to meet Vaghela to convince him to not to leave the party or resign from any post. He is our senior leader and we cannot afford to lose him at any cost.”