Uproar at BJP MLA Raman Vora’s residence for not declaring Jadar as taluka, 70 leaders resign from BJP

The Gujarat government announced the creation of 17 new talukas on Wednesday. This did not go down well with a section of the BJP, as protests erupted in Sabarkantha district soon after. Locals surrounded the residence of Idar BJP MLA Raman Vora and created a ruckus after Jadar in Idar taluka was denied taluka status. Seeing the public anger, Vora reportedly switched off his phone and went underground.

By declaring new talukas, the government has stirred unrest. Locals have long demanded that Jadar be given taluka status. They allege that the last six MLAs have only been giving false assurances. They questioned if Banaskantha gets four new talukas and Aravalli two, why not Idar?

Residents of Jadar are so enraged that more than 70 local leaders have taken off their saffron scarves and resigned from the party to fight against the government on this issue. They have warned that no BJP leader will be allowed to enter villages in the Jadar region. Moreover,  BJP programmes will not be permitted in these villages either.

With the taluka panchayat, APMC, cooperative market yard, and cooperative union elections approaching, this wave of protest could severely impact the BJP.

The government has announced the formation of a new Vav-Tharad district by including Vav, Tharad, Suigam, Bhabhar, Diyodar, and Lakhani. Newly created Ogad and Hadad talukas will remain in Banaskantha, while Diyodar, Lakhani, Dharnidhar, and Rah talukas will fall under the new Vav-Tharad district. Earlier, the issue of district division in Banaskantha had drawn heavy protests from BJP workers. To contain further backlash, the government had to take this decision.

Focus on tribal areas for vote-bank politics

The government’s decision on new talukas has triggered widespread opposition. Allegations have been raised that while new talukas have been formed in north, central, and south Gujarat, Saurashtra has been completely ignored. Despite long-pending demands, the government paid no attention.

The government is accused of taking hasty steps only to secure its vote bank. BJP fears losing its grip in tribal areas, so the newly created talukas seem heavily concentrated in those regions. There is also speculation that this move was made to delay local body elections.