Congress 'JanMitras' in Gujarat to connect people with party

In the run-up to the 2019 general elections, the Congress is gearing up for a better public connect through a number of "JanMitras" (public friends) at the booth level.

The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) announced on Tuesday that it would appoint JanMitras, who would help the people across the government administration in availing their rights and privileges.

"There will be five such JanMitras at the booth level which will connect the public and the Congress. These JanMitras will also make them aware of the Congress ideology. Within 15 days, such JanMitras will be appointed," Rajiv Satav, the Gujarat in-charge of the party, told IANS.

Satav was speaking on the sidelines of the Gujarat Pradesh Panchayat Parishad -- a conference to celebrate the National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24.

"Whenever Panchayati Raj is mentioned, one always remembers Balwantrai Mehta, the former Gujarat Chief Minister, who recommended the three-tier institutional form of administration. This is a truly Gujarat model which everybody followed," said Satav while addressing a gathering of Panchayati Raj representatives from the Congress and other leaders from the party.

In the coming days, the Congress plans to hold a host of events, mostly in the form of agitation against the present Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Central and state governments.

"On Wednesday, April 25, the Congress will agitate against the Fee Regulation Committee (FRC) hogwash they have created, cheating the public and encouraging the private educational institutions. On 26th, we will be agitating for the farmers, for their issues like water unavailability, MSP (minimum support rice), crop insurance claims, etc.," said Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Amit Chavda.

"On 29th, a countrywide 'Jan Akrosh Rally' will organised under the leadership of All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Rahul Gandhi. The rally will be a voice against the disguised Rashtriya Svayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology being forced upon the country. Also, there will be agitations against the rising fuel rices and inflation," said Chavda.

Issuing a stern warning against indiscipline in the party, Paresh Dhanani -- the Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly -- said: "Maintain discipline or else you will be thrown out. We are restructuring party's organisational structure in the coming days. Me and Amit Chavda helped by our Gujarat in-charge are going to scrutinize the organisation and identify such elements. No one is above the party and no position is as much important as the party."

The Grand Old Party is also planning to agitate over issues like unemployment and women safety, among others. A training workshop is also being planned for the elected Panchayati Raj representatives of the party on their rights and duties and how to uphold those

--IANS

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