PM Modi reclaimed encroached land of Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram: C R Paatil

Paatil, who was in Rajpipla to inaugurate the BJP’s Narmada district office, said, “Since the time we were studying, we had heard that Gandhiji’s Sabarmati Ashram had a land of 115 acres but slowly all the land was encroached upon and the Ashram was left with only five-acre land. Modiji took the project into his hands and removed the encroachments from around the Ashram. Today, the possession of land within the Ashram has gone up from five to 55 acres, and the process is ongoing to take possession of the remaining land. In the days to come, the reconstruction of the Sabarmati Ashram will definitely attract people visiting India (from abroad). Modiji has made that kind of arrangement and plan.”

Stating that foreign tourists were stating “visit to Bharuch, Jhagadia and Nandod” as reasons for their applications to the External Affairs Ministry, Paatil said, “Modi is writing history by highlighting the culture of the country and also paying tribute to the tall leaders of the country. Modiji built a statue of Sardar Patel, as tall as his influence… Many people first protested against it, but now they know that tribal youth have got employment because of the statue.”

“When foreigners visit India, they used to tell the Ministry of External Affairs that their purpose was to see the Taj Mahal. Now they write that they want to visit Nandod, Bharuch and Jhagadia to pay obeisance to the statue of Sardar Patel,” he added.

Paatil also said the Dandi March sculpture in Navsari was the only one in the world to pay tribute to all participants of the Satyagraha. Paatil said, “Mahatma Gandhi spent his entire life for the country’s freedom. He undertook the Dandi Yatra until Navsari. Modiji created a large statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Dandi. A six-foot-tall sculpture of all 70 persons who joined with Gandhiji has been installed in Dandi. There is no other place in the world except Dandi in Navsari where a sculpture has been dedicated to all those who joined the Satyagraha… Modiji has paid respects to all of them.”

Urging the BJP workers to ensure the win of the party by an additional lead of one lakh votes in Bharuch and Chhota Udepur Lok Sabha constituencies, Paatil said, “Many people (opposition candidates) are jumping around here in Bharuch and Chhota Udepur… We have to silence them. I am increasing our victory target from five lakhs to six lakhs… The lead of five lakhs is my target and the additional one lakh target is for you. Modiji does not give false promises. Modi’s promises are like the writing on the wall (patthar ki lakeer)… The others (Opposition) are enticing the tribals and giving false promises. They are liars. Do not fall for their talks…”

Paatil also took the opportunity to prop up the two candidates —Vasava and Rathwa. Paatil said, “Jashubhai (Chhota Udepur candidate) is your person, from amongst you and Mansukhbhai (Bharuch candidate) is a seven-term MP… Everyone says he is short-tempered and speaks a lot, but I want to congratulate him because he speaks for the people. He does not worry about the consequences or his future. He works with strength. He is one who left the ministry for his workers.”

At the event, Congress leaders of Narmada and Chhota Udepur district joined the BJP along with their supporters, accepting the saffron scarf at the hands of Paatil.