Vithalbhai Pandya, father of slain BJP leader Haren Pandya, who is contesting the Lok Sabha poll against Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani as an independent candidate from Gandhinagar constituency, on Thursday said he would work for ending the ruling BJP's "dictatorship".
Kicking of his campaign from the Law Garden, where his son was gunned down on May 29 last year when he came for his morning walk, Pandya, a known critic of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Advani, offered prayers before a picture of his son amidst the chanting of Ram Dhun, and met people who had come for morning walk.
He also distributed his election manifesto and promised to "expose the political murder of his son" and said he was "ignored by a section of the Gujarat BJP during the 2002 Assembly elections".
Denouncing the ruling BJP's policies, aiming to end the current "dictatorship" and rubbishing the "feel-good factor", Pandya's pamphlet read: "Sitam bhi wahi karte hain aur zulam bhi wahi karte hain, shikayat karun to kisse karun, hukumat bhi wahi karte hain (They maim us, they torture us; whom should I complain to, it is they who rule us)."
Pandya said the "need to fight the injustice" prompted him to contest the polls. He also spoke of several instances and experiences of his son, who used to frequent the garden and interact with people.
{{/usCountry}}Pandya said the "need to fight the injustice" prompted him to contest the polls. He also spoke of several instances and experiences of his son, who used to frequent the garden and interact with people.
{{/usCountry}}He also ventured into the police line in Ellisbridge area and spoke to several people.