Rajkot, July 19 : The parallel meetings of the Koli community that took place in Saurashtra’s commercial capital Rajkot recently has manifested the deep divide running within the community.
In North Gujarat, a Koli Thakor community leader alleged that the community’s elected leaders were mere showpieces and never helped the members.
This is an indication of the fractions within the community which is based on political or sub caste lines.
Koli Patels and Koli Thakors together have influence in 82 Assembly seats, out of which they are decisive on 45 seats.
The community is divided into sub-castes like Talpada, Chuvala, Ghedia, and Koli Thakor.Talpada kolis have presence in Saurashtra and South Gujarat, Chuvala’s in Surendranagar district and surrounding areas, Ghedia in some parts of Saurashtra, whereas Koli Thakor in North and Central Gujarat.
Akhil Gujarat Chuvala Koli community president Dharmesh Jinjuvadia organised a parallel meeting to BJP’s former MP Devji Fatehpara’s meet.Jinjuvadia’s allegation was that Fatehpara had called the meeting to promote BJP’s political interests.
Surprised by two parallel meetings, Vikram Sorani, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Koli Samaj said, “In neither of the meetings the members of Talpada sub caste were invited, as it seemed it was only for the Chuvala sub caste members”.
Koli Samaj has said that the BJP should renominate Talpada Koli leaders — Kunvarji Bavaliya and Parshottam Solanki in the Assembly elections, failing which the community will decide on which party to extend its support, Sorani added.
“Devji Fatehpara’s each and every action is to split the unity of the community, he is organising such meetings to influence the BJP leaders,” alleged Ranjit Solanki, president of New Awaz Koli Kranti Sena.
OBC leader and turncoat Alpesh Thakor has alleged, “whenever any community member or family is in trouble, they either approach me or the Thakor Sena formed by me, it clearly states that elected members of the Thakor community are just show pieces.Not helpful to the community.”
haresh/dpb
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