Familiar contest in Gujarat’s Porbandar: Former PCC chief Arjun Modhvadiya

Congress candidate Arjun Modhvadiya renewed his two-decade-old political rivalry with BJP minister Babu Bokhiriya in Porbandar Monday, appealing to a gathering to reject “corruption” and vote for “honesty and integrity”. Bokhiriya had been jailed in a mining case in 2007, then was released on bail.

“I was elected for the first time from this seat in 2002… Has my name ever popped up in a murder case? Have I been imprisoned for stealing limestone? Have I ever a case of bootlegging registered in my name?” Modhvadiya said. “My rival has these experiences,” Modhvadiya told the gathering at Sudama Chowk, drawing laughter. “I have not usurped anybody’s land,” he continued. “I did not acquire land to tie horses. I have not done a single deed for which you will have to hang your heads in shame…”

Modhvadiya, a former president of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress, was nominated Sunday. He has been contesting against Bokhiriya for over a decade and is banking on his image against that of the minister for fisheries and animal husbandry portfolios.

According to an analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms, Bokhiriya faces charges of theft, criminal trespass and concealing design to commit offence which is his duty (as a public servant) to prevent.

Source: http://indianexpress.com/elections/gujarat-assembly-elections-2017/gujarat-elections-familiar-contest-in-porbandar-congress-candidate-arjun-modhvadiya-versus-bjp-minister-babu-bokhiriya-4946952/