The BJP has been in power in Gujarat for a decade and a half. But it has failed to defeat Congress in Borsad. It is difficult to dislodge the Chavda–Solanki clan here. Ishwar Chavda's mission was carried forward by his son-in-law, Madhavsinh Solanki. He was chief minister of Gujarat as well as a Union minister. Today his son, Bharatsinh, continues the family's political work.
Bhudhabhai Solanki, resident of Naman village near Borsad, says, “I have seen this family’s contribution since my childhood. Borsad, Bhadran and Petlad were suffering severe atrocities of dacoits mostly from Kshatriya, Thakor and Baraiya communities. Literacy rate was zero. Ishwar Dada reached out to these communities and spread education among them. He created special schools for farm labourers’ children. He always kept his promises and worked very hard work.”
Madhavsinh was a well-educated person and a journalist too. The Kshatriya community saw leadership quality in him and with consensus he was assigned the district Congress leadership. He became so popular that from 1976 to 1989 he was elected chief minister four times. Visaji Thakore of Petlad says: “Madhavsinh had created bridges named Gambhira and Umeta on the Mahi and paved the way for prosperity. Earlier they had no access to Vadodara city.” He adds “Madhavsinh started mid-day meal and women's educations schemes. These subsequently spread across the nation.”
Now Bharatsinh is building on the goodwill his family enjoys here. He was elected from Borsad assembly seat in 1995, became MP in 2004 and then became the state Congress chief. Amit Chavda says: “Bharatsinh has promoted youngsters. Today you will see young leadership in all major posts across Anand district. After he was elected to the Lok Sabha, workers and Congress committee members requested me to contest the Borsad seat. I was just 27. I have been elected twice consecutively from this seat.”
Anand district has 1,038 schools, the highest number in Gujarat. The school and hostel which were started by late Ishwarbhai Chavda still provide education, accommodation and food free of cost to students.
Amit Chavda follows the old style of working, battling for the betterment of the underprivileged sections of his constituency. He says with an air of confidence, “A day will come when Gujarat will see Bharatsinh Solanki as chief minister.”
Bhudhabhai Solanki, resident of Naman village near Borsad, says, “I have seen this family’s contribution since my childhood. Borsad, Bhadran and Petlad were suffering severe atrocities of dacoits mostly from Kshatriya, Thakor and Baraiya communities. Literacy rate was zero. Ishwar Dada reached out to these communities and spread education among them. He created special schools for farm labourers’ children. He always kept his promises and worked very hard work.”
Madhavsinh was a well-educated person and a journalist too. The Kshatriya community saw leadership quality in him and with consensus he was assigned the district Congress leadership. He became so popular that from 1976 to 1989 he was elected chief minister four times. Visaji Thakore of Petlad says: “Madhavsinh had created bridges named Gambhira and Umeta on the Mahi and paved the way for prosperity. Earlier they had no access to Vadodara city.” He adds “Madhavsinh started mid-day meal and women's educations schemes. These subsequently spread across the nation.”
Now Bharatsinh is building on the goodwill his family enjoys here. He was elected from Borsad assembly seat in 1995, became MP in 2004 and then became the state Congress chief. Amit Chavda says: “Bharatsinh has promoted youngsters. Today you will see young leadership in all major posts across Anand district. After he was elected to the Lok Sabha, workers and Congress committee members requested me to contest the Borsad seat. I was just 27. I have been elected twice consecutively from this seat.”
Anand district has 1,038 schools, the highest number in Gujarat. The school and hostel which were started by late Ishwarbhai Chavda still provide education, accommodation and food free of cost to students.
Amit Chavda follows the old style of working, battling for the betterment of the underprivileged sections of his constituency. He says with an air of confidence, “A day will come when Gujarat will see Bharatsinh Solanki as chief minister.”
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