Controversial industrialist and BJP MP share stage, Koli Patels fume
Himanshu Bhatt | tnn | Mar 8, 2019, 04:00 IST
File photo of C R PatilSurat: Navsari BJP MP CR Paatil has upset a large number of Koli Patels by sharing the dais with a controversial industrialist at the inauguration of latter’s textile park in Palsana on Wednesday.
The Koli Patels, who are considered a big vote bank of BJP in coastal villages of Surat and Navsari, are angry with the state and central BJP leadership for providing Rs 112-crore subsidy to Gujarat Eco Textile Park (GETP) owned by the industrialist Girish Luthra.
The Koli Patels have been fighting a long-standing battle against Luthri since 2011-12 when toxic effluents released from his Gujarat Enviro Protection and Infrastructure Ltd (GEPIL) had resulted in the death of cattle heads and spread diseases in Baleshwar creek.
On Wednesday, Union textile minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the Rs 158 crore Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant at GETP. The project has been sanctioned by the central and state Government under the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) scheme. Luthra has been been given Rs 75 crore subsidy by the central government whereas the state has sanctioned Rs 37 crore for the same.
Prakash Contractor, president of Kantha Vibhag Koli Patel Parivartan Samaj Trust said, “It was surprising to see BJP MP CR Paatil and BJP MLAs from our constituency sharing stage with an industrialist against whom they have fought for us in the past. It’s all the more shocking that BJP governments have given away such a huge subsidy to the company owners responsible for making our living conditions dreadful in 2011.”
Out of nearly 19 lakh voters in Navsari Lok Sabha constituency, 10% are Koli Patels, who have been supporting the BJP for the past two elections
It must be remembered that during the UPA regime before 2014, Paatil and local BJP leaders were up in arms against GEPIL owners and had supported the local Koli Patels in their fight against them.
Hemant Patel, a Koli Patel leader in Baleshwar village said, “Our people are shocked to see that BJP leaders, who supported us against GEPIL, are now cozying around with the same industrialist who is trying to destroy our people and cattle. GEPIL has made our life miserable and many are still suffering from health problems due to discharge of hazardous effluents in the creek.”
When contacted, Paatil tried to take refuge under the compulsions of protocol. “As per the protocol, I was invited at the venue where the central minister and others were present. However, I can assure the Koli Patels that even today if any tries to release or do any mischief, I will be the first one to oppose it. We will take care that no irregularities are carried out by the industries.”
The Koli Patels, who are considered a big vote bank of BJP in coastal villages of Surat and Navsari, are angry with the state and central BJP leadership for providing Rs 112-crore subsidy to Gujarat Eco Textile Park (GETP) owned by the industrialist Girish Luthra.
The Koli Patels have been fighting a long-standing battle against Luthri since 2011-12 when toxic effluents released from his Gujarat Enviro Protection and Infrastructure Ltd (GEPIL) had resulted in the death of cattle heads and spread diseases in Baleshwar creek.
On Wednesday, Union textile minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the Rs 158 crore Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant at GETP. The project has been sanctioned by the central and state Government under the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) scheme. Luthra has been been given Rs 75 crore subsidy by the central government whereas the state has sanctioned Rs 37 crore for the same.
Prakash Contractor, president of Kantha Vibhag Koli Patel Parivartan Samaj Trust said, “It was surprising to see BJP MP CR Paatil and BJP MLAs from our constituency sharing stage with an industrialist against whom they have fought for us in the past. It’s all the more shocking that BJP governments have given away such a huge subsidy to the company owners responsible for making our living conditions dreadful in 2011.”
Out of nearly 19 lakh voters in Navsari Lok Sabha constituency, 10% are Koli Patels, who have been supporting the BJP for the past two elections
It must be remembered that during the UPA regime before 2014, Paatil and local BJP leaders were up in arms against GEPIL owners and had supported the local Koli Patels in their fight against them.
Hemant Patel, a Koli Patel leader in Baleshwar village said, “Our people are shocked to see that BJP leaders, who supported us against GEPIL, are now cozying around with the same industrialist who is trying to destroy our people and cattle. GEPIL has made our life miserable and many are still suffering from health problems due to discharge of hazardous effluents in the creek.”
When contacted, Paatil tried to take refuge under the compulsions of protocol. “As per the protocol, I was invited at the venue where the central minister and others were present. However, I can assure the Koli Patels that even today if any tries to release or do any mischief, I will be the first one to oppose it. We will take care that no irregularities are carried out by the industries.”
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