Ahmed Patel calls for mass agitation against Guj Land Act

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel today called for a 'jan-andolan' against Gujarat government's Land Acquisition Act terming it "anti-farmer" and "pro-industry".
Patel said it was necessary to defeat the ruling BJP in the next year's Assembly polls "in the larger interest of the people".
"The Land Acquisition Act prepared by this BJP government in Gujarat is totally anti-farmer, as it was made to serve the interests of industrialists. I appeal to start a mass-agitation against this Act to safeguard the interests of farmers here. Congress will not sit quietly on this. We will fight against this anti-farmer Act," said Patel.

Gujarat's Land Acquisition Bill, 2016 which dilutes the Centre's stringent Land Acquisition Act 2013, received presidential assent on August 8, after which, it became an Act and was implemented from August 15.
"As the Assembly polls are nearing, people will be lured with gimmicks and tricks (by BJP). For the interest of Gujarat and it's people, it is necessary to defeat them" said Patel, who was here to witness the unveiling of Rajiv Gandhi's statue at state Congress headquarter.
During his visit, Patel slammed the Narendra Modi-led government on several issues.

"They first abolished the Planning Commission and set up Niti Ayog. Now, even after two-and-a-half years, no one knows what Niti Ayog will do," he added.

Patel claimed that it was (former Prime Minister) Rajiv Gandhi who passed the Prevention of Atrocities Act to protect Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
He also credited the former Prime Minister for "introducing several pro-people policies".
"It was Rajiv Gandhi who introduced technology mission, 'Saksharta' mission, vaccination drive, drinking water facility for all, 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, right to vote at the age of 18," he said.
"During foreign visits, he (Rajiv Gandhi) used to talk only about the interests of our nation. On the contrary, our PM indulges in building his own image abroad. No Congress leader has ever criticised India during foreign tours" he claimed.

Patel was accompanied by Gujarat Congress in-charge Gurudas Kamat, state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki, national spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil, AICC general secretary Madhusudan Mistry and Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela among others.