Adverse effect of infighting among the leaders of the Congress may not only hamper its poll prospect in Surat and the state.
Adverse effect of infighting among the leaders of the Congress may not only hamper its poll prospect in Surat and the state, but it is also having a telling effect on its functioning. New Congress office, purchased through donations for the purpose of making it new party office, is being used by a diamond businessman, Prakash Barmecha.
Ironically, Congress leaders are helpless, because Barmecha happens to be a party member. The infighting has ensured that one group is opposing him, while other is supporting.
The three-story building, having space of 13,500 sq ft is located at Kadarshah ni Naal at Salabatpura, in the heart of the city. This new building was purchased, as the current office was proving too small. Building consists of two conference halls, underground space, five to six specially prepared rooms and other space for preparing separate offices.
City Congress party bearers spent more than Rs45 lakh to purchase the building in 2006, but could not take possession of the building due to internal politics prevalent in the party. Fed up this, party's state leadership asked city workers to sell the building and return back money to donors. But the sale also got messed up because of infighting and the building still remains with Barmecha, who has good relations with all top leaders.
"The idea of new office was mooted by GPCC in 2004 and after much hardship, the building was finalised in 2006. Party leaders like Jawahar Upadhyay didn't donate a single penny for the building, but remained in the thick of things. It was in fact Upadhyay, who asked to sell the property to Barmecha if, it was not to be used for party work. Barmecha took the keys with a promise to pay the amount, but never paid back," said Chandravadan Pithwala, a senior Congress leader, who donated Rs16 lakh and owns it.
"I complained to all top leaders of GPCC, but nothing happened because of internal politics. Still, the amount is to be recovered, while Barmecha has started his diamond unit at the office. I am supposed to return donations after getting the sale price, but the plan can't be completed. Leaders with Upadhyay are supporting Barmecha, while a fraction is with me on the issue," Pithawala added.
Despite trying several times on his cellphone, Barmecha could not be contacted over the issue.
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