Ahmed Patel calls for mass agitation against Guj Land Act

Ahmedabad, Aug 19 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Ahmed Pateltoday called for a ‘jan-andolan’ against Gujarat government’sLand Acquisition Act terming it "anti-farmer" and"pro-industry". Patel said it was necessary to defeat the ruling BJP inthe next year’s Assembly polls "in the larger interest of thepeople". "The Land Acquisition Act prepared by this BJP governmentin Gujarat is totally anti-farmer, as it was made to serve theinterests of industrialists. I appeal to start amass-agitation against this Act to safeguard the interests offarmers here. Congress will not sit quietly on this. We willfight against this anti-farmer Act," said Patel. Gujarat’s Land Acquisition Bill, 2016 which dilutesthe Centre’s stringent Land Acquisition Act 2013, receivedpresidential assent on August 8, after which, it became an Actand was implemented from August 15. "As the Assembly polls are nearing, people will be luredwith gimmicks and tricks (by BJP). For the interest of Gujaratand it’s people, it is necessary to defeat them" said Patel,who was here to witness the unveiling of Rajiv Gandhi’s statueat state Congress headquarter. During his visit, Patel slammed the Narendra Modi-ledgovernment on several issues. "They first abolished the Planning Commission andset up Niti Ayog. Now, even after two-and-a-half years, no oneknows what Niti Ayog will do," he added. Patel claimed that it was (former Prime Minister) RajivGandhi who passed the Prevention of Atrocities Act to protectScheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He also credited the former Prime Minister for"introducing several pro-people policies". "It was Rajiv Gandhi who introduced technology mission,’Saksharta’ mission, vaccination drive, drinking waterfacility for all, 33 per cent reservation for women inlocal bodies, right to vote at the age of 18," he said. "During foreign visits, he (Rajiv Gandhi) used to talkonly about the interests of our nation. On the contrary, ourPM indulges in building his own image abroad. No Congressleader has ever criticised India during foreign tours" heclaimed. Patel was accompanied by Gujarat Congress in-chargeGurudas Kamat, state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki,national spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil, AICC general secretaryMadhusudan Mistry and Leader of Opposition in Gujarat AssemblyShankersinh Vaghela among others. PTI PJT PD NRBCHTJMF