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Koli community has little voice in Gujarat politics despite one-third vote and population

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The Koli community accounts for one-third of the population of Gujarat and has an equal vote share in the state. They can influence election results in 82 assembly seats with their domination over 44-45 seats, yet they have very little say in the leading political discourse and state politics.

As per youth leaders of the community, this is an outcome of the poor literacy rate in the community and socially and economically weak sub-caste based divisions within the community as community bigwigs are focused on their individual progress and not of the upliftment of the entire community.

Community youth leaders are trying to unite community members but the influential ones within are splitting them on the basis of sub-castes like Talapada Koli, Chuvalia Koli, Kedia Koli, Koli Patel etc. But now the youths have decided to fight them because “our existence and political weightage are at stake,” said Ranji Solanki, national president of New Samaj Koli Kranti Sena.

He cited two instances: recently, in the Jamraval municipal elections in Devbhumi Dwarka district, Koli community members contested under Vyavastha Parivartan Party symbol (VPP). It got a thumping majority as out of the 33 seats, 31 went to the Koli community and candidates of VPP. The BJP and the Congress were routed.

Citing the second instance, Solanki said that “On May 18, we will lay the foundation stone of a school funded by a Koli charitable trust in Surendranagar. This will be a primary school and as more funds come, the school will be upgraded to senior levels. The community has decided that no political leaders invited for the occasion will be seated on the stage – they will be in the audience with other ordinary community members.”

“Along the Saurashtra coast in Rajkot, Surendranagar, Ahmedabad, Botad, Morbi districts, and in Bharuch, Surat, Valsad, Navsari cities in South Gujarat, the Koli community has dominance over many assembly seats. If political parties do not field Koli candidates then they can get defeated. But this is not happening because the community lacks unity. Various groups are now working to unite the entire community,” says Ranchhod Ughreja, president of Koli Thakor Sena, Rajkot.

He and other community members realise that “The way to unite the community is by means of literacy and socio-economic development. So, groups within the community are working on it, setting up educational institutes, spreading awareness about the need for education for the next generation. Once this and financial stability is achieved, it will be easy to unite the community,” believes Ughreja.

“The tug of war between two stalwarts, Akhil Bharatiya Koli Samaj President Ajit Patel and former minister Kunvarji Bavaliya has intensified and it will have a detrimental impact on the political weightage in the upcoming assembly elections,” fears Jethabha Jora who has been serving the community for more than three decades.

“Political parties hardly field 15 to 20 candidates. Though the community is decisive in 44 to 45 seats, internal fights between leaders take precedence over fighting for the community’s right and due representation,” said a Koli community leader requesting anonymity.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar bridge should be opened for weighing vehicles: Abu Asim Azmi

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abu aasim aazmi

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA has demanded in the assembly that a flyover bridge should be started for heavy vehicles to curb fatal accidents in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar. Fatal accidents are happening every month in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar. Earlier there were high tension wires on the bridge built on GM Link Road, then the bridge was closed due to heavy vehicles. Later the wires were also removed and the flyover department has also allowed heavy vehicles to pass, however, heavy vehicles are still not being allowed to move. Today in the House, a demand was made to start the movement of heavy vehicles on this bridge. Abu Asim Azmi said that recently a tragic accident took place here in which three people died.

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Maharashtra

Wanted accused in Mumbai 1993 riots arrested after 32 years

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CRIME

Mumbai: Police have claimed to have arrested one of the most wanted accused involved in the 1993 Mumbai riots. Mumbai’s Wadala police arrested a fugitive accused who was on the run for 32 years during an operation to search for wanted accused. 54-year-old Arif Ali Hashimullah Khan has been arrested from Antop Hill. The accused did not appear in court during the hearing. A warrant was also issued against him, after which the police arrested the accused and presented him in the court and the court ordered his remand. This operation was carried out by Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and Port Zone DCP Vijay Sagar.

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Maharashtra

Sashil Kodiyeri apologizes after tension over Marathi-Hindi controversy

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Maharashtra: In the context of the Mumbai Marathi-Hindi controversy, Shishil Kodia has apologized for his controversial statement. He said that his tweet was misrepresented. I am not against Marathi. I have been living in Mumbai and Maharashtra for the last 30 years. I am a fan of Raj Thackeray. I constantly comment positively on Raj Thackeray’s tweets. I tweeted in my emotions and I made a mistake. This tense and tense atmosphere should end. We need a favorable environment to accept Marathi. So I request you to forgive me for this mistake for Marathi. Earlier, Shishil Kodia had made a controversial statement about Marathi and refused to speak Marathi, due to which MNS workers attacked and pelted stones at Shishil’s company WeWork. After which Shishil has now apologized to X

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