CM Vijay Rupani, soon after being nominated for his second term, spoke to The Times of India about his short-term and longterm prorities.
How do you feel about being appointed for a second term as the CM of Gujarat?
A: It’s great honour for me personally as well as for the lakhs of karyakartas of our party. I got only 16 months as CM in my first term but tried to contribute as much possible to the development of state against all odds.
What do you considered to be your best initiatives in the first term?
A: As I said, I got only 16 months, including two months with the election code of conduct. We tried to address all possible issues. We successfully addressed the aspirations of Patidars and other general category castes by a new corporation and a commssion. We addressed issues of farmers like MSP, providing zero-interest loans, completing Narmada dam work and getting permission, getting long-pending issues with the GOI addressed by PM Modiji, addressing issues the middle class faces by the new Fee Regulation Act, the new prohibition law, the new law to prevent cow slaughter and the new law to regularize societies etc.
What will be your priority in the 2nd term? After losing seats in rural areas will your government will focus on the rural sector?
A: It’s not that we are in panic after losing some seats in Rural areas, but certainly there will be major policy focus on addressing rural areas. There will be balanced development in rural and urban areas. Rural and all-round development of the state will be our focus.
Will a strong Congress and leaders like Hardik Patel, Alepsh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani pose a bigger challenge for the coming Lok Sabha elections?
A: Though Congress has won some more seats and we lost around 15 seats, it will affect the Lok Sabha results. Gujarat voted by trusting the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah and the BJP’s 22-year track record of development. Assembly and Lok Sabha Elections always have different issues. People will again vote for the BJP like in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections to continue the development journey started by Narendrabhai in the country.
Do you think the Patidar agitation and caste groups will be challenge for you in the coming days?
A: The results of the assembly elections have proved that the Patidar community stayed with the BJP and all communities rejected divisive forces. We have addressed all concerns of the community and will resolve all possible issues by constitutional means but will not allow further damage to the social fabric of the state.
What major announcement can the people expect in the coming days?
A: We will bring new policies for various sectors and focus on the best outcomes of central and state schemes in the coming days. The coming budget will have major new schemes and policies.
(As told to Kapil Dave)
Source : timesofindia
