A key meeting of Congress-aligned farmer and cooperative leaders from Surat and Tapi districts was held today at the Vyara Circuit House in Tapi district in the presence of former Union Minister and sitting MLA Shri Tusharbhai Chaudhary. The meeting focused on widespread allegations of corruption and irregularities committed by current office-bearers in various cooperative societies across the two districts.

It was collectively resolved to initiate a public agitation against such malpractices and launch a coordinated effort to ensure that future elections in key cooperative bodies, including SUMUL, milk unions, sugar mills, and service cooperative societies, are contested by candidates representing farmers’ interests and the Congress ideology—directly opposing those backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

As part of the action plan, complaints regarding irregularities and corruption in these cooperative institutions will be formally submitted to the District Registrar (Cooperatives), Tapi on May 5, 2025, followed by a similar submission to the District Registrar in Surat on May 8, 2025. Subsequently, Congress MLAs and senior state leaders will present the case to the Registrar of Cooperatives, Government of Gujarat, and the Sugar Commissioner to ensure thorough investigation and accountability.

The meeting saw participation from prominent leaders, including farmer leader Jayeshbhai Patel (Pal), cooperative leader Darshanbhai Nayak, former MLA Punaji Gamit, Anandbhai Chaudhary, Sunilbhai Gamit, cooperative representative Siddharthbhai Chaudhary, Surat and Tapi District Congress Committee Presidents Manharbhai Patel and Bhilabhai Gamit, as well as Sunilbhai Patel (Bardoli), Dr. Dhanshyam Mahida, Andajbhai Sheikh, Arvindbhai Chaudhary, Sameerbhai Vasava (Uchchhal), Hemantbhai Patel (Palsana), Tarunbhai Vaghela, Vipulbhai Patel, Prakashbhai Patel (Mahuva), Tulsi Padvi (Nizar), Miramjibhai Gamit, Nileshbhai Patel (Valod), Bharatbhai Verma, Sureshbhai Vasava, Anilbhai Chaudhary, and Arvindbhai Chaudhary (Vyara). Presidents of various taluka-level Congress committees and other cooperative leaders from Surat and Tapi were also present.

Tapi, Sep 5 (IANS) Two labourers were killed while three other sustained injuries after a blast ripped through a newly constructed factory in Tapi district, Gujarat.

The incident occurred on September 4 at a fruit juice manufacturing unit situated in the Virpor village.

Authorities said that five workers were engaged in the process of setting up machinery within the factory premises when a sudden explosion occurred, sending shockwaves throughout the vicinity.

The blast, stemming from a malfunction in one of the machinery parts, resulted in the deaths of two labourers.

The force of the blast also inflicted critical injuries upon three other workers who were present at the scene.

The three wounded labourers were shifted to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.