Gandhinagar/Vadodara: Two of the three disgruntled BJP MLAs from Vadodara district who had come out quite openly against the functioning of the bureaucracy, met deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and other senior ministers on Friday.
The MLAs claimed that they got a positive response and another meeting would be held after chief minister Vijay Rupani returns from Israel. However, they added in the same breath that if their grievances were not resolved, they would continue to raise their voice.
Manjalpur MLA Yogesh Patel was conspicuous from his absence but Madhu Shrivastava (Waghodiya) and Ketan Inamdar (Savli) said he could not attend as he had to undergo medical examination.
Along with Nitin Patel, state education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, minister of state for home affairs Pradipsinh Jadeja, state BJP president Jitu Vaghani and BJP chief whip in the assembly Pankaj Desai met the two MLAs at Patel's residence. Sensing their rebellious mood, Rupani also called up party leaders asking them to intervene.
After the meeting, Nitin Patel said, "We heard their grievances and assured to resolve them shortly. Once the CM comes back, we will take necessary action against the officials who don’t respect them and delay their work. Both the MLAs told us that they do not have any grievance against the government or the party.''
Shrivastava said, "We told them that if these IAS and IPS officers don't respect or respond to senior MLAs, one can imagine the plight of common people. Deputy CM has assured to take action in next 24 hours and resolve all issues once CM comes back. We will make a list of erring bureaucrats and discuss what can be done. If this does not happen, then I will start my movement again. BJP will suffer in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls if officials do not mend their ways of working.”
Shrivastava added, “Additional chief secretary, principal secretary rank officials also don't respect us. Naturally, officers down the line will do the same. We want to end this practice. ''
Inamdar added, "We told that the officers don't take us seriously and don't solve our issues for long periods. As a result, we have to face wrath of people. Works are getting delayed due to this attitude.”
Yogesh Patel said that he had spoken to Shrivastava before the latter left for Gandhinagar. “I had to undergo a medical check-up due to coronary bypass surgery, but we are all together. I will attend the next meeting with the CM,” he said.