The Ahmedabad magistrate court, where struggle in parking lots and hustle and bustle in corridors is usual on most days, even on Saturdays, saw near empty courtrooms, corridors, and parking on Saturday afternoon. The frenzy of the India-Pakistan cricket World Cup match at the Motera stadium spared none. The streets of the city were also deserted.
Unexpected Praise
Praise came from unexpected quarters for Mansukh Vasava, the BJP MP from Bharuch, on Friday. AAP Dediapada MLA Chaitar Vasava “congratulated’ and “supported” Mansukh Vasava’s statement over the “availability of alcohol” in the dry state of Gujarat.
Reacting to a statement made by Mansukh during his visit to Soliya village in Dediapada for the ongoing Kalash Yatra, Vasava said in a video statement, “Mansukhbhai said in Soliya that English (foreign) liquor is available freely in Narmada district. I fully support his statement and want to congratulate him for showing the courage to speak up against the failure of the BJP-ruled state government to implement the (Prohibition) law, despite being in power for 27 years… I have recently appealed to the Range Inspector General to crack down on bootleggers and if the action is not taken, the people of Dediapada will start a Jan Andolan to break down the bootlegger dens.” Vasava also added that Mansukh must “disclose names” of the BJP leaders who have been caught in prohibition cases while he suggested a few names at the same time.