The current creation of Vav-Tharad district carved out of Banaskantha district in Gujarat has triggered protests from varied quarters, particularly the Opposition Congress, who’ve maintained that sure native teams weren’t consulted earlier than the BJP-led state authorities took this choice.
The Congress has been main the cost towards Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel over the difficulty as Banaskantha is one among its few remaining bastions within the BJP-dominated state.
Within the 2017 state Meeting polls, the Congress had gained six of the undivided Banaskantha district’s 9 seats. Even in its worst-ever displaying in Gujarat within the 2022 Meeting elections, when the Congress might handle to get solely 17 seats, 4 of those got here from Banaskantha alone. Within the current bypolls although, the Congress misplaced one among these seats to the BJP.
Within the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress might win simply one among 26 seats – Banaskantha – with the BJP bagging the remaining 25. The Banaskantha parliamentary seat is represented by the Congress’s Geniben Thakor.
On its half, the BJP authorities mentioned the choice to bifurcate Banaskantha was taken within the curiosity of the “bigger public”. Saying the choice taken by the Cupboard on January 1, Gujarat minister Rushikesh Patel mentioned, “When it comes to space, Banaskantha is the second-largest district… When it comes to inhabitants, it’s the largest with the utmost of 14 talukas. If individuals needed to journey from the interiors, they must journey 35-85 km. This may now be shortened. To make sure that the administration is relaxed and that individuals don’t face issues of transportation, Banaskantha has been divided into two districts.”
In addition to, the Gujarat authorities has additionally introduced the formation of 9 newly-formed municipal firms: Morbi, Surendranagar and Porbandar in Saurashtra; Anand and Nadiad in Central Gujarat; Gandhidham in Kutch; Mehsana in north Gujarat; and Vapi and Navsari in South Gujarat.
Of the undivided Banaskantha district’s 14 talukas, eight talukas (Vav, Bhabhar, Tharad, Dhanera, Suigam, Lakhni, Deodar and Kankrej) will now type the Vav-Tharad district, whereas the remaining six (Palanpur, Danta, Amirgadh, Dantiwada, Vadgam and Deesa) will stay a part of Banaskantha.
The district’s bifurcation is being opposed by varied teams primarily from three talukas —- Dhanera, Kankrej and Deodar — which were carved from Banaskantha to be a part of Vav-Tharad. The protesters are demanding that they need to be allowed to stick with Banaskantha and never be connected to the brand new district. They’ve held that almost all of their works have been linked to Banaskantha district and its headquarters Palanpur and that the federal government didn’t seek the advice of them earlier than splitting it.
Former Congress MLA of Dhanera, Nathabhai Patel, who is likely one of the key faces of the protests, mentioned, “We don’t thoughts the splitting of Banaskantha because it was a big district. However we oppose inclusion of Dhanera within the new district of Vav-Tharad. Most of our social and academic dealings are with Palanpur, which is nearer to Dhanera as in comparison with Tharad. So, we wish to keep in Banaskantha and never in Vav-Tharad. The federal government didn’t seek the advice of us earlier than saying this choice.”
He additionally mentioned, “We now have already given a memorandum opposing the choice and have additionally given a name for Dhanera bandh on Saturday.”
A piece of native residents of Kankrej taluka have even demanded that the state authorities reassign the taluka to Patan district, if it isn’t returned to Banaskantha. This demand has particularly been raised by the residents of Thara and Shihori, two main villages of Kankrej taluka, which fall inside a radius of about 30 kms from Patan district.
MP Geniben Thakor instructed The Indian Specific that the native political management had not been consulted earlier than the division of Banaskantha district. “Since Vav-Tharad might be alongside the Indo-Pak border, it’s certain to be uncared for by the state authorities,” she mentioned.
A senior BJP chief mentioned on situation of anonymity that the selections of the federal government to bifurcate Banaskantha district and forming 9 new municipal firms may very well be seen as an try and make the event “seen” below CM Patel.
“Dividing Banaskantha district helps the individuals instantly. Smaller districts assist individuals. It decreases their transport time and bills in accessing the district collector’s workplace, courts and police station. The administration may give extra consideration to individuals’s points in a smaller district. This can be a pro-people transfer, however it can additionally give our get together a powerful advertising and marketing or promoting level to garner votes in elections,” the BJP chief added.
With the reorganisation of the district, the elections to the Banaskantha district panchayat, 14 taluka panchayats and varied village panchayats have been delayed by not less than six months. These native physique polls had been due in February 2023. Up to now, it was delayed owing to points associated to fixing OBC quota in native our bodies following suggestions by a devoted Fee as ordered by the Supreme Court docket. And now, with the bifurcation of the district, these polls can not happen until the delimitation and allotment of administrative workforce and workplaces are performed.
(With inputs from Ritu Sharma)
Uncover the Advantages of Our Subscription!
Keep knowledgeable with entry to our award-winning journalism.
Keep away from misinformation with trusted, correct reporting.
Make smarter choices with insights that matter.
Select your subscription package deal
