Despite tall talks, BJP's candidates have criminal records

Despite tall talks, BJP's candidates have criminal records
HIMANSHU KAUSHIK

RAJKOT, AUG 29: Before the civic elections were announced in Gujarat, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Rajendrasinh Rana had declared that the BJP would keep away from candidates with criminal backgrounds. Despite these claims, at least 12 of the 69 official candidates who have filed their nominations for the Rajkot Municipal Corportaion (RMC) polls have criminal cases, including attempt to murder, registered against them.

Of the 12, one of the candidates Narendra Solanki was arrested for firing during a marriage procession recently which had landed him in judicial custody. Sources said that Solanki had been released on bail only last week.

Party's candidate from Ward Number 1, Ranjitsinh Dodiya was arrested under TADA for allegedly firing at jawans of the State Reserve Police Force.

Uday Kangad, former mayor and candidate of Ward Number 3, was involved in a land-grabbing case registered with the city police about eight months ago. Kangad recently got a stay order against inquiry in the same case. Sources alleged that he was also involved in a firing incident at Congress worker Illaskhan Pathan during the post-Babri Masjid demolition riots in 1992. Kangad, according to sources, was also involved in an attack on an RTO inspector. A case under IPC 324 was registered against him. During his term as a mayor, Kangad had also allegedly slapped a Civil Hospital Superintendent.

Mukeshbhai Dangar, BJP candidate for Ward Number 4 who was the deputy mayor, was involved in a attempt to murder case in 1992. He was arrested by the police, but later released. He is a sitting corporator.

Candidate of Ward Number 9 Mavaji Dodiya was involved in an attempt to murder case. Sources claimed that during the 1998 Assembly elections, Dodiya who had quit the BJP and joined Shankersinh Vaghela's Rashtriya Janata Party (RJP) had attacked Govind Fulwala, a BJP worker. Fulwala was then taken to Civil Hospital where Dodiya and his supporters arrived and attacked BJP vice-president Sanjay Goswami and a party worker. During elections to the Nagarik Bank, Dodiya had openly abused the BJP but he then rejoined the BJP and was retained by the party.

Chinubhai Rathod, candidate for Ward Number 9, had been arrested under PASA for attacking some persons with a sword in 1994. Rathod replaced Amarsinh Makwana who joined the RJP and then returned to BJP along with Dodiya but was denied a ticket.

Bhojraj Nebhani, candidate from Ward Number 13, was arrested for involvement in the trade of spurious liquor in 1992. Bhojani was later arrested under PASA.

Among other candidates who have been arrested at some time or other are Panchabhai Madhuva, Madhuvabhai Dhutara, Mahendra Sampat, Bhanjibhai Parmar and Rajubhai Boricha. BJP sources said about two candidates were sons of noted bookies in the city.

BJP city president Jitubhai Shah admitted that Ranjitsinh Dodiya, Solanki Kangad, Dangar and some other BJP candidates have cases against them but said attempt to murder was "not a serious crime". He said the BJP had decided not to nominate candidates who were involved in rape or break-ins. He said the decision to put up these candidates was in the interest of the party.

Defending the choice of candidates, BJP's official spokesman Bharat Pandya said, "When a person is in politics he gets involved in cases of attacks because he comes into conflict with his neighbours and political workers of other parties." He said such candidates could not be called criminals.

Vijaybhai Rupani, chairman of BJP Sankalp Patra Implementation Committee, echoed similar sentiments. He said if a person is in politics, "some incidents are bound to take place".

Rupani admitted that Ranjitsinh Dodiya had been arrested under TADA but said Manoharsinh Jadeja who was the then home minister misused his power to arrest Dodiya. He claimed that several BJP workers were arrested under PASA and TADA in the past because the Congress had misused powers. He said the so called criminal candidates were involved in political attacks only.