Vote for whom you want, it’s your choice , says Gadkari

Nagpur: Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari during his address at an event organized by the Akhil Bhartiya Halba Adivasi Mahasangh said politics cannot be the only means for development of any particular community.
“Even if a member of the community becomes an MLA or an MP it does not mean that it would bring well being to the people of the particular social segment at large,” he said.
‘Vote for whom you want to, it’s your choice. Those who want to take to politics they may, but its not true that only politics can bring development,” added Gadkari.
The society should create leaders who think beyond politics and work for people’s welfare, he said.
Halbas belong to a scheduled tribe and its members have been facing a complicated issue of getting caste validity certificates. Leaders, including Gadkari, have drawn flak from the community for not having resolved issues despite assurances. There have been calls to not vote for the BJP as the leaders did not keep their promises, said a community leader.
Even as Halbas are categorized as a scheduled tribe, a number of such Halbas cannot get caste validity certificate because their records have Koshti suffixed to their names. This denies them getting the certificate as the documents don’t have the name ‘Halbas’. They are insisting that even Koshtis should be considered as Halbas as they are the same, the source said.
Gadkari said many approach him with problems. Some can be resolved, but for the rest, there are other methods like moving the court. Finally we have to carry out a struggle only through constitutional means, he said.
“Lately, it was ensured that people of your community living in Bangladesh locality could get ownership rights for their homes. It was not an easy task and we had to face numerous hurdles but finally it could be done. Slowly even other such problems can be resolved. There are problems everywhere, some can be resolved,” he said.
The minister also spoke of encouraging persons of the community to take up welfare work.
Gadkari said he has started a weaving unit at Panchgaon and many women of the community have been trained. There are plans to start two carpet weaving units in Bela and Dhapewada, he said.