Congress asks Bharatiya Tribal Party, Alpesh Thakor to withdraw candidates

Congress party is in talks with Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) supremo Chhotu Vasava and Other Backward Class (OBC) leader Alpesh Thakor and other party leaders to withdraw their candidates from Lok Sabha constituencies as they could upset Congress' apple-cart at a time when party is trying to make inroads into the state for sending elected representatives to Lok Sabha.

BTP leader Chhotu Vasava is contesting from Bharuch while party's other candidates Uttam Vasava, Pankaj Patel, Dharmendrasinh Kharadi, Ramesh Garasiya, Rajesh Vasava and Ashwin Vaghela are contesting from Bardoli (ST), Valsad (ST), Sabarkantha, Dahod (ST), Chhota Udepur and Ahmedabad – West (SC) constituencies. On the other hand Congress is in direct contest on all 26 Lok Sabha seats against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While there were talks of alliance with BTP, they did not materialize. The party now feels that having formidable candidates from BTP could eat into its share in these seats and it has started a dialogue with BTP for withdrawal of its candidates. It feels that it can salvage Valsad, Bharuch and Banaskantha seats if BTP withdraws its candidates.

"Yes, we are in talks with BTP. It is an ongoing process," said a party leader on condition of anonymity. He also said that efforts are on to ensure that supporters of Alpesh Thakor, a Congress MLA from Radhanpur, also withdraw their nominations from Banaskantha and Sabarkantha. The party has fielded co-operative dairy leader Parthi Bhatol and Rajendra Thakor from these constituencies respectively. Congress is betting high on north Gujarat to improve its tally. But if Thakor votes get divided then it could lead to the loss of Congress.

Among other dissidents, Congress is trying to change their stance include Lalji Mer, a Koli Patel by caste, who has filed nomination from Surendranagar constituency, from where Congress has fielded Soma Patel. If Mer does not withdraw his nomination then Koli Patel votes will be divided. Similarly, MLA Kalabhai Dabhi has resigned from primary membership of the party and will be contesting from Kheda, where Congress has fielded Bimal Shah.

High-stakes

• Congress is betting high on north Gujarat to improve its tally
• If Thakor votes get divided then it could lead to the loss of Congress