Chhotubhai Says He Voted for Patel, but KC Tyagi Denies

Chhotubhai said “he is unhappy with the BJP’s works for the poor and tribal population” in Gujarat.

Congress leader Ahmed Patel after casting his vote for the Rajya Sabha election at the Secretariat in Gandhinagar.

(Photo: PTI)

The lone JD(U) MLA in Gujarat, Chhotu Vasava, sai on Tuesday that he voted for Congress' nominee Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha polls as the ruling BJP has done little to nothing for tribal people and the poor.

Vasava represents a Scheduled Tribe from the reserved Jhagadia assembly seat in Bharuch district in south Gujarat.

The legislator, whose party recently forged ties with the BJP in Bihar, said he decided to vote for the Congress candidate as "he is unhappy with the ruling party's work for the poor and tribal population" that he represents.

BJP has ruled the state for 22 years but has ignored the state’s tribal areas, which remain undeveloped as the government has done nothing for the poor and tribal population

He said the decision to vote for the Congress nominee was solely his own and not necessarily that of the party which he represents.

Nitish Kumar (Bihar CM and JD(U) president) did not contact me over voting, and there was nothing like a whip issued by the party in this regard. The decision to vote for Patel was my own.

But in a confusing twist contradicting his statements, JD(U) MLA KC Tyagi assured CNN-News18 that Chhotubhai voted for the BJP and not Congress’ Ahmed Patel.

Countering Chhotubhai's words, KC Tyagi told the news channel,

I know Chhotubhai. We have worked alongside him to know that when he gives his word he doesn’t budge. I have full faith that Chhotubhai voted for the BJP.

The General Secretary of JD(U)'s Gujarat wing, Ambalal Jadhav, shot down Tyagi's statements and questioned,

Who is KC Tyagi to say anything? Chotubhai has voted, he will tell. Our support is with Ahmed Patel.

(With inputs from PTI)

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