Surat, Gujarat: Responding to the visit of former Union Minister Smriti Irani to Surat, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Surat City President Dharmesh Bhanderi sharply criticized her claims regarding the alleged benefits of the Union Budget. Bhanderi said that Irani’s press conference appeared to be aimed only at confusing the residents of Surat, offering grandiose claims but no clear vision or concrete measures for the city’s development.
Surat, a city with global recognition for its diamond and textile industries, continues to depend heavily on these sectors for its economic growth. Bhanderi pointed out that the recent Union Budget did not include any special provisions for these industries. He alleged that Irani held the press conference to hide the truth that the budget failed to benefit Surat. He also expressed surprise that the press event was held in the absence of central minister C.R. Patil and the state Deputy Chief Minister, highlighting internal BJP conflicts and the party’s apparent neglect of the city.
Speaking further, Bhanderi criticized plans to develop PM Mitra Park about 45 km away from Surat Railway Station. He compared it with the underutilized Diamond Bourse, located far from the city’s main diamond trading areas, calling it a repeat of past mistakes. He also noted that while GST reforms were mentioned in the press conference, local traders remain burdened by complex procedures, bureaucratic pressure, and daily operational challenges—issues ignored in the BJP event.
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“AAP says BJP’s praised budget ignores Surat, while smaller cities receive key institutional projects”
Bhanderi emphasized that the budget announcements praised by BJP-affiliated trader groups do not reflect the concerns of Surat’s business community. He added that smaller cities like Jodhpur, Patna, and Guwahati received announcements for institutions like IITs and gaming hubs, while Surat, a city of over 8 million people and one of India’s fastest-growing urban centers, continues to face neglect from both state and central governments.
He concluded by stating that despite Surat being a hub for MSMEs and small industries, the central government has made no provisions for the city in the budget. AAP Surat demands that the BJP and former Union Minister provide a clear explanation regarding the benefits—or lack thereof—extended to Surat under the recent Union Budget.