After news broke of Congress MLAs from Gujarat having a perfect holiday in Bengaluru, BJP pressed its members into action to win hearts in the flood-affected constituencies in the state. Grounds clear, BJP workers have stepped on gas pertaining to the rescue and relief of stranded people in the flood-affected Dhanera and Kankrej. These constituencies are represented by Congress MLAs Joitabhai Patel and Dharshibhai Khanpura. In fact, four of the 9 assembly seats in Banaskantha district are represented by Congress MLAs, all of whom are in Bengaluru.
Ironically, the 44 ministers were whisked away in Bengaluru so that Congress could save them from being 'lured' away to the BJP. However, that move boomeranged as the MLAs who should have been present in the flood-hit areas were now drawing public ire because of their absence from the rescue operations. Taking that cue, the BJP has successfully turned the table. BJP has sent truck loads of relief material from the party's state headquarters at Koba in Gandhinagar on Monday.
પ્રજાની સાથે સંવેદનાના તાંતણે બંધાયેલ મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી @vijayrupanibjp જી. ધાનેરા પહોંચીને પૂરગ્રસ્ત લોકોને મળ્યા. pic.twitter.com/xPnLHcM7Cc
— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) July 30, 2017Guj Govt led by CM Shri @vijayrupanibjp firmly stands with the flood-affected people of Banaskantha & Patan during these testing times pic.twitter.com/aDZCrXixQj
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) July 30, 2017At his next destination at Nagla village, Guj CM @vijayrupanibjp visited a relief centre & assured immediate assistance from the Govt pic.twitter.com/bMmwQ71sBb
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) July 30, 2017In a heartwarming gesture, Guj CM straight away rushed to meet the people waiting for him after deboarding the helicopter at Dhanera pic.twitter.com/sjdSH5cswT
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) July 30, 2017Guj CM, on his way to Dhanera, stopped his convoy on a bridge on Rel River to express his gesture towards villagers waiting under the bridge pic.twitter.com/JbUGgiXAym
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) July 30, 2017Held a review meeting with Govt officials at collector office in Palanpur and gave directions to take necessary steps to bring normalcy. pic.twitter.com/TA2IGk9oJi
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 30, 2017At Nagla village, ensured all kind of help from the Government. I salute the spirit of the villagers who unitedly fought against the havoc. pic.twitter.com/Ns1nkBEDI2
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 30, 2017Met farmers & merchants at Dhanera APMC. Assured them of proper and timely assessment of the damage caused due to the devastating flood. pic.twitter.com/M7FUTdE7JB
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 30, 2017Consoled family members of the deceased due to the dreadful flood at Kharia village. Assured all kind of support from the government. pic.twitter.com/0SlQdbVpNU
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 30, 2017Interacted with flood victims during my visit to Kharia village of Banaskantha today and distributed cheques of assistance. pic.twitter.com/US8m5pfens
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 30, 2017Later today joined CM @vijayrupanibjp at Nagla village, Banaskantha and met locals & inquired about their issues. pic.twitter.com/tdfRChImS9
— Shankar Chaudhary (@ChaudhryShankar) July 30, 2017With CM @vijayrupanibjp at Dhanera APMC, interacting with the farmers and traders, ensuring all needed help from Govt. pic.twitter.com/f8bd7viNkg
— Shankar Chaudhary (@ChaudhryShankar) July 30, 2017Accompanied CM @vijayrupanibjp as he visited the flood affected areas in Khariya village of Banaskantha & interacted with local people. pic.twitter.com/COMWzimMYw
— Shankar Chaudhary (@ChaudhryShankar) July 30, 2017જનજીવન પૂર્વવત્ ન થાય ત્યાં સુધી રાજ્ય સરકાર તેમજ ભાજપા સંગઠનનો પુરગ્રસ્ત વિસ્તારમાં સતત હાજર રહેવાનો સંકલ્પ - શ્રી જીતુભાઇ વાઘાણી pic.twitter.com/0NNvoolhOp
— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) July 31, 2017મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી વિજયભાઈ રૂપાણીએ પાટણ જિલ્લાના પૂરગ્રસ્ત ગામો નાનાપુરા, બાદરપુરા તેમજ સુલ્તાનપુરની મુલાકાત લીધી હતી. pic.twitter.com/fqEkS0b9Be
— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) July 31, 2017While chief minister Vijay Rupani is currently camping in Banaskantha and Patan districts, Union minister Smriti Irani, a Rajya Sabha nominee from Gujarat, visited Dhanera and Tharad talukas of Banaskantha on Monday. Shankersinh Vaghela, who quit the Congress on July 21, followed by six other MLAs, leading to a major crisis in the party ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, was also seen patrolling the flood-hit areas. Hew as seen touring Banaskantha, Patan and Morbi districts till Sunday.
On Sunday, he is said to have told the media persons, "The MLAs of Banaskantha should have been here now, with the flood-affected people… their being in a luxury resort while people go hungry in their constituencies presents a picture in contrast”.