Hero Image

Koli factor weighs heavy against C R Paatil

The coming Lok Sabha elections will pose a serious challenge to CR Paatil, the BJP MP from Navsari parliamentary constituency. Paatil is facing stiff opposition from the Koli community, who believe BJP leadership should give a Koli Patel leader a chance this time.

Banners have come up in Koli-dominated villages in the coastal belt of South Gujarat saying ‘Koli nahi to vote nahi’ (No Koli, no vote).

Even BJP workers from the Jalalpore assembly segment have been demanding that a Koli Patel be given the party ticket.

They made this demand to the BJP observer team comprising Chattrasinh Mori, Niranjan Janjmera and Darshana Deshmukh in Navsari last week. Three Navsari and four Surat assembly segments make up the Navsari Lok Sabha seat. Kolis and Marathi voters make up a substantial part of the electorate.

R C Patel has emerged as a strong contender from the Koli community. Patel, the BJP MLA from Jalalpore, has sought a BJP ticket for someone from the Koli Patel community. He did not demand ticket for himself.

Party insiders said anger is brewing among Koli Patel community against CR Paatil ever since he shared dais with Union textile minister Smriti Irani at the inauguration ceremony of wastewater recycle project at Palsana-based company owned by controversial industrialist Girish Luthra. Koli Patels are angry with BJP leadership for providing Rs112 crore subsidy to his plant.

Koli Patels of 32 coastal villages in Surat and Navsari have been fighting a battle against Luthra since 2011 alleging toxic effluents released by his company had resulted in the death of hundreds of cattle heads and spread of disease in Baleshwar creek.

Prakash Contractor, a Koli Patel leader, said, "It was surprising to me and my fellow Koli Patel members to see Paatil share stage with the industrialist, who has robbed us of everything. Contaminated water still continues to flow into our village creek and our men face the onslaught."

During UPA Government before 2014 elections, Paatil and local BJP leaders were up in arms against the industrialist and supported local Koli Patels in their fight against him.

Out of nearly 18 lakh votes in Navsari Lok Sabha constituency, Koli Patel voters have strong presence in the assembly constituencies of Majura, Choriyasi, Jalalpore, Navsari and Gandevi. They have an approximate 19% vote share. Muslims and Marathis have 1.4 lakh and 1.21 lakh votes, respectively in Navsari parliamentary seat.

READ ON APP