The Gujarat Congress unit has requested senior party leader Ahmed Patel to contest the next month’s Lok Sabha poll from the state’s Bharuch seat.
Patel, currently a Rajya Sabha member, won from Bharuch thrice, in 1977, 1980 and 1984, but lost to BJP’s Chandubhai Deshmukh in 1991, after which he did not contest from the seat. The BJP has never lost the seat since then.
“People want Patel to contest from Bharuch, because they believe this will help the Congress win the seat, and its positive impact will be felt on other seats in Gujarat as well. It will be clear in the next two-three days whether he will contest from Bharuch, but we (local unit party workers) have requested him for the same,”
Rajiv Satav, election in-charge, Gujarat Congress
Polling will be held in a single phase in Gujarat on 23 April. The last date of filing of nominations is 4 April. The BJP won all 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2014.
“Whether it is Bharuch, Gujarat, or the country, Ahmed bhai has been a popular leader among people cutting across caste, creed and religious lines. It is but natural that the party workers want him to contest from Bharuch.”
Amit Chavda, President, Gujarat Congress
