NEW DELHI (IANS, PTI) — The Congress on Friday demanded that Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani should be sacked and President’s Rule be imposed, claiming that law and order had collapsed in the BJP-ruled state following large-scale attacks on north Indians, reports PTI.
Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil, at a press meet in New Delhi, alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs and leaders were part of a preconceived conspiracy to fuel attacks against north Indians in the aftermath of the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on 28 September in order to divert people’s attention from burning issues like unemployment, tumbling rupee and a sinking economy.
“On back foot for its continued failures in containing skyrocketing petrol-diesel prices, a historically devalued rupee, rampant joblessness and a sinking economy, BJP and its government in the state are acting in tandem to target poor people,” Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil told the media here.
“Cornered on its massive failures, fascist BJP is resorting to its tried and tested formula of divide and rule,” he said, claiming that there has been a mass exodus of north Indian migrants from Gujarat owing to incessant attacks on them and their livelihood.
“(Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji is a Gujarati. He wins election from Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency). Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra have contributed immensely in his electoral triumph. He should immediately sack Vijay Rupani,” the Congress spokesperson said.
Pointing out that there was a massive exodus of north Indians from Gujarat and 165 FIRs were filed in connection with related incidents, he said, “It means law and order has collapsed and President’s Rule should be imposed.”
The attacks have led to an exodus of an estimated over 60,000 migrants, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, PTI reports.
He also shared a video of Himmatnagar BJP MLA Rajendra Chavda to substantiate his claims that BJP leaders were fanning violence.
“Chavda can be seen in the video exhorting BJP workers to drive away north Indians and says he is ready for violent agitation if locals don’t get all the jobs.
“This is not only an open threat to people from north Indian states, but a well-planned strategy to evict such people working in Gujarat,” said Gohil.
The Congress asked the Rupani government to restore law and order and book the BJP leaders responsible for the violence.
