Aravalli: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday claimed that Gujarat is the highest employment-generating state in India. He made the statement while addressing a ‘Vikas Sankalp Sabha’ in Sathamba village, Bayad taluka, ahead of the local self-government elections scheduled for April 26.
Gujarat Leads in Employment Generation
CM Patel attributed Gujarat’s employment success to sustained development policies and robust infrastructure expansion. He emphasized that continuous government initiatives and large-scale investment projects have played a key role in generating jobs across the state.
Highlighting a major project in the region, Patel said that a corridor project approved at Rs 1,600 crore would accelerate development and ensure continued economic growth in Aravalli district.
BJP’s Development-Centric Approach
Referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Patel stressed that the party’s functioning goes beyond election campaigns.
“Working only during elections is not the functioning style of the BJP; staying continuously among the people and resolving their problems is the identity of BJP workers,” he said.
Patel contrasted BJP’s proactive approach with opposition parties, noting that opposition candidates rarely engage with citizens outside election periods, even during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Development Under PM Narendra Modi
The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with reshaping the electoral discourse in Gujarat to focus on development-led politics.
“After Narendra Modi became Chief Minister of Gujarat, elections began to be fought on the issue of development,” Patel said, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in governance.
He noted that Gujarat had overcome challenges in water, electricity, and road infrastructure, ensuring 24-hour electricity and Narmada water supply to households, strengthening public trust.
Initiatives for Farmers and Environmental Conservation
Patel also highlighted government initiatives for farmers and landholders, including converting land conditions from new tenure to old tenure in 7/12 land records.
On water conservation, he announced an allocation of Rs 50 lakh per legislator under the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign to increase pond capacity and recharge groundwater.
He further encouraged citizens to participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign to expand Gujarat’s green cover and support environmental sustainability.
Call for Electoral Support
Ending his address, CM Patel urged voters to ensure a “massive victory” for BJP candidates in the upcoming local self-government elections, reinforcing the party’s development-focused agenda in the state.
