Purshottam Rupala takes over as Gujarat BJP president

Ahmedabad, Nov 9 (UNI) Purshottam Rupala took over as Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party president from Vajubhai Vala at a function here this evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rupala urged the BJP workers to take a vow to fight the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre for meting a ''step-motherly'' treatment to Gujarat.

The function was attended by BJP national president Rajnath Singh, Leader of Opposition in Parliament L K Advani, Chief Minister Narendra Modi, BJP's Gujarat affairs in-charge Omprakash Mathur, former chief minister Keshubhai Patel, senior leader Jana Krishna Murthy, Arun Jaitley, Harin Pathak, Kashiram Rana and others.

Mr Rupala assured he would follow the path of Jan Sangh and BJP to promote ''cultural nationality''. He also urged the workers to make people aware of the ''achievements of the Modi Government and failures of UPA government'' and ensure a massive victory for the party in the coming Assembly elections.

The new state BJP chief also criticised the Congress for ''obstructing the completion of Gujarat's lifeline -- the Narmada Project''.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi alleged that the Centre has not released adequate flood relief to Gujarat. While the state suffered losses to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore during the recent floods, the Centre has provided only Rs 500 crore, he said. He further alleged that the Centre has not provided Rs 1000 crore to the state which was collected as ''Earthquake Tax'' for rebuilding quake-razed Kutch region.

Mr Modi also criticised the Centre for stalling the passing of the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime (GUJCOC) bill which was cleared by the Gujarat Assembly to tackle terrorism and disruptive activities in state. The GUJCOC is an alternative to TADA, Mr Modi said while pointing out that similar laws have been cleared for Maharashtra and other states.

Rajnath Singh lauded the people of Gujarat for reposing faith in Mr Modi despite an anti-Modi propaganda following the Godhra riots.

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