Mehsana, Gujarat: The ninth day of the Congress party’s Jan Akrosh Yatra began on Sunday with Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Chavda and senior party leaders offering floral tributes at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Vijapur. The Yatra proceeded through Gojhara, Visnagar and Basna, receiving enthusiastic public support at multiple points before reaching Mehsana.
Addressing large gatherings along the route, Amit Chavda launched a strong attack on the ruling BJP government, alleging widespread corruption, administrative failure and deteriorating law and order in the state.
Chavda announced that the Congress would initiate a major anti-addiction movement across Gujarat, asserting that drug networks are flourishing under political protection.
“We will expose the officials and drug peddlers shielded by the Chief Minister and the Home Minister,” he said.
He criticised the state administration over poor infrastructure, stating that despite decades in power, the BJP has failed to improve road conditions in Mehsana. Traffic congestion, shortage of police personnel and the imposition of “extortion-like targets” on existing staff were cited as major concerns leading to lax enforcement of traffic rules.
Chavda also highlighted long-pending civic issues such as drainage water overflowing onto roads and alleged that several projects were completed only on paper while funds were siphoned off. He termed the recent gangrape of a young girl in Visnagar as a “heart-wrenching incident showing total collapse of law and order.”
Chavda accused several industrial units in the district of violating environmental regulations and causing serious pollution.
Despite public protests, the GPCB was “busy collecting bribes instead of taking action,” he alleged.
He further claimed that the cooperative sector, including Dudhsagar Dairy, has come under the control of BJP leaders and their associates, with dissenting voices being suppressed.
“In this government, seeking justice only invites intimidation,” he added, noting that the Patidar community too had faced state oppression.
Congress Legislature Party leader Dr. Tushar Chaudhary criticised the state government’s recently announced farmer relief package, calling it inadequate and discriminatory.
He said that out of 18.72 lakh farmers who applied for assistance, only 1.31 lakh received support, leaving more than 17 lakh farmers waiting without clarity on future aid.
Chaudhary contrasted this with earlier Congress governments, saying electricity meters had been removed from farms and power was supplied on a horsepower basis to support agriculture.
“The Congress created such a strong framework that even after several chief ministers, no one could reinstall meters in farmers’ fields,” he said.
Several senior leaders joined the Yatra, including AICC co-in-charge Shubhasini Yadav, MP Geniiben Thakor, MLA Jignesh Mevani, Mehsana District Congress President Baldevji Thakor, former MLA Bharatji Thakor, and Pradesh General Secretary Himanshu Patel. The event saw significant participation from local residents.
The Jan Akrosh Yatra continues to draw attention as it moves through Gujarat, with Congress positioning it as a campaign against what it describes as rising corruption, administrative injustice and anti-people governance under the BJP regime.
