Defiant Gujarat BJP legislator opposes cement plant

MAHUVA - By pushing ahead with a farmers’ protest in Bhavnagar district Sunday against a proposed cement plant, Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Kanu Kalsariya appeared to be heading for a showdown with the party leadership.

The legislator is organising a “maha sammelan” (convention) at Dodiya village in Mahuva taluka of the district against the Nirma cement plant for which land was allotted by his party’s Narendera Modi-led government.

“I expect over a lakh farmers to attend the convention. This is an issue which is a matter of life and death for farmers,” said Kalsariya on the eve of the convention.

“A majority of farmers in the area are opposed to the cement plant. I am very clear that the interest of people comes before party,” said the three-time legislator who represents Mahuva.

The Kalsariya headed stir is receiving response from unexpected quarters, including the Youth Congress.

According to the Gujarat Youth Congress general secretary Prakash Gurjar, a survey was carried out by their organization in the area and it was found that over 80 percent of the people support the agitation.

The stir has also been supported by former Congress ministers Sanat Mehta and Gandhian Chunibhai Vaidya.

Kalsariya has been waging a legal battle on behalf of the farmers against the cement plant.