Kadi: The by-election campaign in the Kadi Assembly constituency has intensified, with former Congress MLA Baldevji Thakor and former Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel engaging in a heated exchange of allegations.

At a convention of the Maldhari (pastoralist) community, Baldevji Thakor accused Nitin Patel of cancelling land allotments made to the Rabari community. “During the Congress regime, Rabaris were given land for grazing buffaloes and other essential activities through their community associations. Who got that land nullified? If I have to name someone, I will say it clearly — if anyone is responsible for cancelling the land allotted to all Rabari community associations, it is Nitinbhai Patel. I am a witness to this,” said Thakor.

In response, Nitin Patel released a video rebuttal, calling Thakor a “blackmailer” and accusing him of misusing his political influence. Patel alleged that Baldevji Thakor was involved in brokering land deals at undervalued rates in Zalod, cheating members of the Thakor community. He further claimed that Thakor opportunistically partnered with both BJP and Congress leaders to serve his personal interests.

“I want to publicly share information about the actions of former Congress MLA Bharati Thakor. As everyone knows, Baldevji Thakor was a Congress MLA from Kadi. Later, he contested against me and lost. He then shifted to Kalol and contested again against our BJP candidate Bakaji Thakor. Kalol taluka has over 70% voters from the Bakshipanch community. Due to his inaction, and the harassment, blackmail, and extortion he inflicted on people over five years, voters of Kalol rejected him too,” said Patel.

Responding to Thakor’s allegations regarding Gopalk Mandalis, Patel clarified, “There are several Gopalk Mandalis in Kadi taluka, but I am aware of only one. No allegations have ever been made against any of them. I served as a minister for a long time, and during that period, no inquiry or action was taken against any Gopalk Mandali. Baldevji is merely trying to provoke the Rabari community for electoral gain.”

Patel concluded by saying, “Baldevji Thakor is one of the biggest land brokers in Mehsana district and Kadi taluka. He has partnered with prominent builders in Ahmedabad on questionable projects. Whether in BJP or Congress, his partnerships span across parties and continue to this day.” DeshGujarat