Tribal leaders may spoil Cong's Gujarat gameplan

Ahmedabad: Adding a more trouble to Congress party in Gujarat, leader of Bhartiya Tribal Party-BPT and MLA from Jhagadia constituency Chhotu Vasava has announced that his party will fight on seven Lok Sabha seats in the state, including Bharuch, which is home pitch of Congress stalwart Ahmed Patel. His announcement is being seen as a move to build pressure on Congress when the party is in process of selection of the candidates.

Seven term MLA and popular ‘dabang’ leader Mr. Vasava had formed his ‘Bhartiya Tribal Party’ just a month ahead of assembly election in the state in 2017 and fought on two seats in alliance with Congress. His party, the BTP had also won two assembly seats in Rajasthan. He was with Janata Dal (U) till 2017, but parted his way after Nitish Kumar formed an alliance with the BJP. His son Mahesh Vasava is also an MLA from Dediapada in Bharuch district. Both father and son are believed to have strong hold over tribal votes in South Gujarat, especially in Bharuch Lok Sabha seat.

Congress party leaders admit that the party will have to form an alliance with the BTP, if it wants to win Bharuch Lok Sabha. Once a bastion of Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel, who won from here in 1977, 1980 and in 1984, this constituency has been with the BJP since 1998. In 2014, the BJP’s Mansukha Vasava won with the lead of 1.53 lakh votes.

But as per 2017 assembly election results, the Congress is just behind with 1964 votes here. Mr. Chhotu Vasava is leading with more than 30000 votes in his assembly segment. In 2009 Lok Sabha, he fought on JD(U) ticket here and secured 63660 votes in triangle battle.

In this scenario, if the Congress and the BTP forms an alliance, they will be in position to give tough fight to the BJP. Sources say that the Congress wants Mr. Vasava to join the party and to fight on party ticket, but Mr. Vasava is not agree with the idea. While Senior Vasava is believed to be close to Mr. Ahmed Patel, it is learnt that his son Mahesh Vasava is in touch with top leadership of the BJP. The BJP leadership perhaps wants the BTP to fight independently because it can only divided Congress’ votes. The BJP may replace sitting MP Mansukh Vasava to dilute anti incumbency factor.

This puts Chhotu Vasava and the BTP in a decisive position as hisstand will, more or less, decide the result of Bharuch Lok Sabha. ‘Weare going to fight on seven seats on our own. As of now, there is notalk with the Congress or the BJP. We will decide once they approachus.’ said Mr. Vasava.