Will quit the party if compelled to criticize: Ex BJP Minister Nanu Vanani

Surat : Former Gujarat Minister Nanu Vanani, a prominent leader within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has taken a principled stand in the ongoing controversy surrounding the State Government’s decision to demarcate reservations in the Town Planning (TP) scheme in Katargam. Rather than speaking out against the party, Vanani has announced his intention to leave the BJP if he feels compelled to criticize it.

The issue at the heart of this controversy revolves around allegations of corruption and favoritism within the Town Planning Office (TPO) and the imposition of reservations in residential societies to benefit a select group of influential individuals. Vanani, who previously served as an MLA from Katargam, recently addressed these concerns in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Vanani has taken a proactive approach to address the grievances of the thousands of residents impacted by the State Government’s decision to introduce reservations under TP schemes 49, 50, and 51 in Katargam. He has established a committee aimed at advocating for justice on behalf of the affected residents.

During a gathering of Katargam residents, Vanani expressed his commitment to the BJP while refraining from making any negative statements about the party. He stated, “Since I am in the BJP, I will not say a single word against the party. If I feel like it, I will leave the party.” This statement underscores his loyalty to the party while emphasizing the importance of his cause.

Nanu Vanani, an experienced BJP leader and former Gujarat minister, has raised serious allegations against the decision-making process within the TPO. He has accused the TPO of being motivated by ulterior motives and rampant corruption, particularly regarding the cancellation of judicial reforms within the TP schemes, which he claims benefit influential figures in the region.

Vanani has provided specific instances of alleged manipulation within the TP scheme that favored private parties. He highlighted actions such as the transfer of an Open Plot (OP) owned by an individual into a Final Plot (FP) numbered 286 within TP 49, resulting in significant financial gains. Additionally, the government’s decision to revoke FP number 24, initially allotted to an individual in 2022, and subsequently reassign it, has raised concerns of misconduct within the system.

At the center of this controversy are approximately 47 residential societies within Katargam’s TP 49. Vanani’s claims suggest that around 60,000 ordinary citizens have been adversely affected by the TP scheme’s implementation. These residents come from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, with plot sizes ranging from 35 to 138 square meters.

Complicating matters further, the Samast Patidar Samaj Wadi in Katargam has allegedly fallen under TP reservation due to what Nanu Vanani describes as corrupt practices by the TPO. This has resulted in reservations being imposed on roads and properties owned by common residents, while certain privileged individuals are accused of amassing substantial wealth through these controversial maneuvers.