RADHANPUR MLA Alpesh Thakor is a crucial figure in Gujarat politics. He represents the sizeable OBC community, and the membership in his organisations—the Kshatriya Thakor Sena and OBC SC ST Ekta Manch—runs into lakhs. Ever since he joined the Congress, ahead of the Gujarat assembly elections in 2017, he has remained in the news over alleged differences with the grand old party.
On April 10, he quit the Congress, a day after the Kshatriya Thakor Sena asked him to do so, citing lack of respect for him and the members of the organisation. He also alleged that tickets were sold. With less than a fortnight left before Gujarat goes to the polls, the development was a major jolt for the Congress, as it lost the foot soldiers of the Kshatriya Thakor Sena. The OBC leader said that he was not resigning as MLA. Thakor added that he would not campaign for or against any party, but would work for the Kshatriya Thakor Sena candidates in Banaskantha Lok Sabha constituency and the assembly byelection in Unjha.
Speaking to THE WEEK in the last week of March, Thakor discussed his agenda, vision for the society, the issues with the Congress and why he refused to join the BJP in the past. Edited excerpts:
What are your problems with the Congress?
People for whom I have come [into politics] should get representation in the system. They have been fighting for their rights, but until they get into the system, they will not be able to do anything. My demand is: give respect to them and proper representation depending upon their skills. Alpesh Thakor will speak up when he finds this lacking.
What made you decide against joining the BJP in the past? Did you get any reassurance from the Congress?
No, I did not get any reassurance from the Congress. I have not demanded anything. The whole issue is that it hurts me when people whom I represent do not get something. I have joined politics for them and if I have to leave politics for them, it will not bother me.
The reason for not joining the BJP is to ensure that I do not lose the respect of the people I represent.
Why are you not contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections?
I have said earlier also that I want to work in Gujarat. A lot needs to be done as an MLA. I have no dreams of becoming a national leader. The issues that I fight for concern the poor in Gujarat. If I run away without bringing a solution to the issues in Gujarat, then who will fight for the poor [here]?
I am proud to be a Gujarati. I am also proud to be Indian, but my love towards the people of Gujarat binds me to this state. I fear that if I go to the Centre, my closeness with them will get affected. An autorickshaw driver or a tea-stall owner waves at me when I go out now. This is because they feel that I will do something for them.
I know I cannot give them anything now, because the government is not ours. But the whole idea is to talk about it so that whenever we are in power, their work is done first and they should feel that the doors have opened for them.
What is your role in the Lok Sabha elections?
More than my role, it is important to see what I am fighting for. I have entered politics for the poor and the backward. The idea is to highlight their problems during the current elections so that whichever government comes to power offers solutions.
How will you ensure that the OBCs make the right choice?
Has the government brought any scheme for the progress of OBCs? We want an answer. The OBCs have not progressed. In Gujarat, OBCs have 27 per cent reservation. However, only 12 per cent to 15 per cent seats are filled in government jobs. Why? They say OBCs are educationally and socially backward. Has the government done anything for their education?
People are going for education in the private sector because good education is not available [in the public sector]. If you want the OBCs to progress, then there should be good education available in the public sector. We will ask such questions and, if the government cannot answer them, we will create awareness among the masses. The awareness will not come overnight.
Why is a section of the OBCs in Gujarat unhappy with you?
OBCs are the highest population in Gujarat. I can [answer you] only when I am shown which section is unhappy with me. There are 40 lakh youth in our organisational setup (Kshatriya Thakor Sena and OBC SC ST Ekta Manch) across 12,000 villages, 176 talukas and 26 districts. I am running a social organisation. People are free in social organisations. A handful may have their personal likes and dislikes, and personal ambitions, but, this does not mean that the society that you represent is against you.
It is very clear in the Thakor community that it is the Kshatriya Thakor Sena that can do something for them. Kshatriya Thakor Sena and OBC SC ST Ekta Manch have been fighting for change. In the past, there were 12 to 13 Thakor MLAs in the 182-member assembly. Now, there are 27 Thakor MLAs. The numbers of OBC and SC/ST MLAs have also increased. Those who are unhappy with me should show me what they are unhappy with.
It is normally seen that Patels and OBCs vote for different parties. Your comments.
Patels and OBCs are not enemies. There are two sections—the rich and the poor. The rich do not have the time to look towards the poor. The poor from all sections of society are one; the rich are one. Nobody is against anyone. However, there is a need to fight for the poor. Among OBCs, SCs and STs, 90 per cent are poor. In the non-reserved category, 10 per cent are poor. The poor in both these sections [are the same].
You will see this in villages and cities, but we label it as casteism. I clearly say that I am not casteist. Yes, I fight for OBCs, SCs and STs. But that does not mean that I oppose other sections of society.
I want to leave behind me a state and country where the future generations and my children can live united. Nobody should tell my children that your father tried to break Gujarat’s unity. They should be told that your father fought for the rights of poor. My dream is only that.