On the issue of getting a formal designation as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Gujarat Assembly, Congress leaders are pinning hope on the pending litigation before the Supreme Court raised by Samajwadi Party (SP). The litigation is regarding the post of LoP in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council to be conferred on the largest opposition party even if its number is below 10 per cent of the total strength. In the Gujarat assembly, Congress has not been granted the status since it could not hit the mark. Of a total of 182 seats, it has 17. A senior Congress leader said they consulted the party’s senior leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is also a lawyer, on moving the court on the issue. However, the leader added, Singhvi advised them to wait for the SC verdict on the SP litigation. The litigation is being heard by the bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud.
Protest & a warning
To protest the “dilapidated condition” of roads amid monsoon, AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava on Sunday took to the streets along with his supporters over potholes on a stretch connecting Gujarat with Mumbai. Vasava also shared visuals on Twitter. He warned the state government to fill up the potholes across Gujarat. The AAP leader went on to threaten to stop heavy vehicular traffic on state and national highways, passing through his area if the government failed to do so. He alleged that the roads have developed potholes owing to corruption by the BJP-led state government and top officials.”.
Recommended
The state government has got the draft for the Gujarat Common Universities Bill 2023 reviewed by Hasmukh Adhia, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister. It is said that the draft had incorporated several important changes recommended by Adhia during video meetings, even from the US during his recent visit. Adhia had been the principal secretary of education with the Gujarat government from 2008-13 and is Chancellor of the Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, since 2019. Adhia’s contribution dates back to 2006 when he headed a special committee for preparing a draft for the University Act, which had members including retired IAS officer Rajiv Kumar Gupta who was the commissioner of higher education, and A U Patel, the then VC Gujarat University.