Alpesh to cops: Shut down liquor dens or janta raids will follow

Ahmadabad: In a show of strength by the Thakor community -Gujarat's biggest Other Backward Classes (OBC) community -their leader Alpesh Thakor made a telling statement on the socio-political reality of `dry' Gujarat at GMDC ground here on Tuesday.
Thakor urged his community to give up addictions -particularly alcohol -while giving the state and police an ultimatum to shut down liquor dens in a month, promising `janta raids' if they failed.
The group held their `Vyasan Mukti Mahakumbh', or de-addiction gathering, which he declared was apolitical. He did say that the oppressed and marginalized communities would decide the 2017 Gujarat assembly elections.
In his 37-minute speech to around one lakh people, Thakor -widely seen as a counterweight to Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel -didn't even mention reservations. He also thanked Patidar leaders for their support to his anti-addiction work. Video messages by chief minister Anandiben Patel and Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki were played to the crowd to demonstrate the backing of both BJP and Congress.
“Our work is apolitical. I will sit with whoever helps our community but I want it free of addictions, educated and developed,“ said Thakor, adding, “I have chosen the path of inclusive development.“ Thakor is convener of Thakor Kshatriya Sena as well as the OBC, SC, ST Ekta Manch.
To the government, Thakor said, “Many of those who brew and sell liquor are from our community . We will shut them down. But you must give them an alternative livelihood first. You must build educatio nal institutions, and recruitment training centres for SC, ST and OBC communities.
Hinting at unscrupulous canvassing practices, Thakor said: “Once rid of our addictions, we can decide the true value of our votes. In 2017, we will decide the CM. Our ruler should understand the pain o the people.“ In her message CM Anandiben Patel lauded Thakor's work to fight alcoho lism and other vices. She as ked the community to end so cial evils like child marriage and urged them to promote wi dow remarriage as well.