In a veiled attack on Congress leader and former Patidar quota stir spearhead Hardik Patel, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday said his initial days in office were not easy because "some elements" tried to disturb Gujarat's peaceful atmosphere.
Rupani was sworn-in as the chief minister three years ago on August 7, 2016, after his predecessor Anandiben Patel suddenly stepped down when the Hardik Patel-led agitation for reservation in government jobs and education for Patidars was at its peak.
Rupani, who led the BJP to victory in the December 2017 Assembly polls, was addressing a grand event organised at Mahatma Mandir here to celebrate the completion of three years of his government.
When Rupani took over as the CM, senior BJP leader Nitin Patel was given the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Rupani and Nitin Patel continued in their respective post after the BJP retained power in the 2017 Assembly elections.
"There were difficulties in the initial days as some elements were busy trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Gujarat.
"Attempts were made to damage the social fabric of Gujarat in the name of caste," he said, apparently referring to the demand by Patidars to include them in the OBC category.
He said after initial hiccups, the state was put back on track of development.
"In those days, some people adopted shortcuts to enter politics and tried to create tension between various communities.
"We assumed office in such an atmosphere back then. But, fortunately, we managed to set things right and put Gujarat back on the track of development. We were successful in making people understand what was right," he said.
Several parts of Gujarat had witnessed large-scale violence during the agitation demanding inclusion of Patidars in the OBC category to get reservation benefits.
Hardik Patel had joined the Congress ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and announced the issue of reservation was over following the Centre's move to grant 10 per cent quota in jobs and education to economically weaker sections.
Speaking further, Rupani said he walked on the path shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who served as the CM of Gujarat between 2001 and 2014.
"We have been serving the people of Gujarat without having any personal agenda of our own. We remained committed to the people and walked on the path shown by Narendrabhai.
"We are taking everyone along to make a better and stronger Gujarat," said Rupani.
He termed his government as "corruption-free, transparent, decisive and progressive".
Rupani said there will be no change in Gujarat's liquor prohibition law.
"Just like Modiji, we never took leaves and went on vacation. We took stern steps to end corruption.
"We have enacted stricter laws to punish bootleggers, chain snatchers and those who are into cow slaughter.
"I want to say that Gujarat is, and will remain, a dry state as we are in no mood to give any relaxation in it," Rupani added.
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