Will pay Patels, Baniyas, Brahmins Rs 50,000 to pick garbage: Ex-Gujarat CM

Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela has sparked a political controversy with his remarks targeting Patels, Baniyas and Brahmins over their opposition to reservation. Speaking at a gathering of tribal farmers in Narmada district on Friday, Vaghela said he was willing to "pay members of these communities Rs 50,000 a month to pick up garbage", prompting sharp criticism from community leaders and political opponents.

Vaghela was addressing a farmers’ conference at Khopi in the Sagbara area, organised around the demand for rights of tribal farmers to cultivate forest land. Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda and several other Congress leaders were also present at the event.

During his speech, Vaghela defended the reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, arguing that it should not be viewed as a concession.

He linked affirmative action to the historical hardships faced by disadvantaged communities and criticised those who oppose the reservation system.

"Reservation has not been given to anyone as a favour. Those who benefit from it have endured lifelong suffering and discrimination. I want to tell those who oppose the reservation, whether they are Patels, Baniyas or Brahmins, that if they are ready to take up manual scavenging and clean human waste, I am prepared to pay them a monthly salary of Rs 50,000," he said.

Vaghela further said people questioning the reservation should understand the living conditions of tribal communities before opposing such measures.

Referring to the combined strength of SCs, STs and OBCs, he urged these sections to recognise their political influence and exercise it in the next Assembly elections.BJP LAUNCHES SHARP ATTACK

The comments quickly drew criticism from community representatives. BJP leader and Brahmin community figure Yagnesh Dave accused Vaghela of unnecessarily singling out specific communities and challenged him to undertake the work himself.

"Shankersinh Bapu should first begin this noble task at his own home. If he is prepared to clean the filth from my house, I am willing to pay him Rs 5 lakh every month," Dave said.

Patidar leader Alpesh Kathiriya also sought an unconditional apology from Vaghela. He criticised the remarks for being made by a former chief minister at a public gathering and said such statements could contribute to tensions between communities.VAGHELA MAY RETURN TO CONGRESS

The controversy has emerged at a crucial juncture in Vaghela’s political career. The veteran leader is currently in talks with the Congress over a possible return to the party, almost nine years after his exit.

Gujarat Congress chief Chavda has publicly confirmed that discussions are taking place with the party high command and Vaghela, although his re-induction will require approval from the central leadership.

Vaghela quit the Congress in 2017 following differences with the party leadership.

He subsequently launched the Janvikalp Morcha and contested the Gujarat Assembly elections that year. He later joined the NCP, before leaving the party, and in 2024 announced the formation of the Praja Shakti Democratic Party.

His political trajectory has now brought him back into discussions with the Congress as the party prepares for the 2027 Gujarat Assembly elections.

His recent appearances alongside Congress leaders have further fuelled speculation about his return.

At the Narmada event, Vaghela also voiced support for the demand for a separate Bhilistan and urged greater political mobilisation among tribal communities.

"We support the demand for Bhilistan. I fully endorse the creation of a separate Bhilistan for the tribal community," he said.

With his possible return to the Congress still awaiting the high command’s approval, Vaghela’s latest remarks are likely to keep him at the centre of political debate in Gujarat.

Community organisations and rival political leaders are expected to continue reacting to the comments as discussions over his formal re-entry into the Congress progress.- Ends