The weekend turned out to be an interesting affair for both the BJP and the Congress, who have locked horns to claim the people’s mandate in Gujarat. While both parties have declared a list of candidates for the second phase of polling, the way it was declared was certainly unusual.
Apart from that, the Rajputs were back in the news after an apparent ‘foot-in-the-mouth’ moment by BJP leader and actor Paresh Rawal during a public meeting on Saturday in Rajkot. The weekend also saw family ties shattered over the distribution of tickets by the saffron party which saw mother-in-law pitted against daughter-in-law.
‘Bahu’ Gets Ticket Instead of ‘Saas’
The fifth list of candidates declared by the BJP on Friday has disrupted Panchmahal BJP MP Prabhatsinh Chauhan’s family life. Prabhatsinh who was trying hard to get a ticket for his third wife Rangeshwari Chauhan from Kalol constituency near Godhra was shocked to learn that the party issued its ticket to his daughter-in-law Suman Chauhan.
Prabhatsinh had reportedly issued an open threat to the BJP that he would have his wife contest as an independent candidate to ensure that the BJP candidate loses if his wife is not given the ticket.
In response to Suman’s nomination, Rangeshwari Chauhan posted on Facebook challenging her husband Prabhatsinh. “Prabhatsinh, if you have ever had your mother’s milk then try and campaign in Kalol, I challenge you!” She even accused her stepson Pravin of selling illicit alcohol in the constituency.
Congress Discloses List on Phone
On Sunday, the Congress in an unprecedented move started declaring its list of candidates for the second phase of polling over the phone from an undisclosed location in Gujarat.
Among the names confirmed by the Grand Old Party features former MP Jivabhai Patel from Mehsana Taluka who will contest against Deputy CM Nitin Patel. Jivabhai had earlier defeated Nitin Patel during the 2004 general elections from the Mehsana seat. Interestingly, Nitin Patel who was at Mehsana on Sunday to attend a public gathering organised by the BJP to listen to PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’, has alleged that Jivabhai Patel wanted to join the BJP a few months ago and had even contacted him.
Similarly, Govindji Thakor got the Congress ticket from Gandhinagar South and Ahmedabad Zilla Panchayat President Puspaben Dabhi got the Congress ticket from Sanand which is located at the outskirts of Ahmedabad. The way the tickets have been announced has miffed one too many Congress workers and the security outside the GPCC office in Ahmedabad was beefed up on Sunday.
Disappointed over the Congress’ manner of working, party spokesperson Rekhaben Chaudhry has also resigned. In Jamnagar, Congress corporator Atul Bhanderi joined the BJP after he did not get the Congress ticket.
Thakor Crisis
OBC leader Alpesh Thakor got the Congress ticket from Radhanpur constituency in Patan which has infuriated many Congress workers, who consider him an outsider and marked their protest in Sola area of Ahmedabad. Thakor community leader Bhavsinh Thakor from Patan has been approached by the BJP to weaken Alpesh Thakor’s influence during the upcoming polls.
In Bhuj, Kutch, the Congress suffered a major blow as APMC Director Samji Ahir and former director Narankara Dangar along with 2,000 supporters joined the BJP. Apart from that many Congress workers have resigned from Satlasana, Kheralu and Vadnagar constituencies.
As of now, it is hard to say how many candidates have been declared by the Congress on Sunday.
The party can choose to declare its list of candidates the way it sees fit. We will declare the complete list in a couple of hours.Manish Doshi, GPCC Spokesperson
BJP’s Sunday Chai Sessions
Meanwhile the BJP started off Sunday with chai sessions at different polling stations across the state, while listening to PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast. BJP President Amit Shah attended one such session at Dariyapur area of Ahmedabad where he was flanked by a horde of BJP supporters. Shah immediately left the venue after the Modi’s live broadcast ended. Arun Jaitley attended the chai session in Surat, whereas Uma Bharti presided over the session in Akota, Vadodara and Smriti Irani attended a similar chai session from Junagadh.
The BJP too declared a list of candidates which has been unofficially circulated by news outlets on Twitter. Interestingly, rumours are rife that former CM Anandiben Patel’s name could also feature in the list.
Even the Congress has not declared its list of candidates yet. By tonight the full and final list for the last 34 seats will be declared.Yamal Vyas, BJP spokesperson
Paresh Rawal vs Rajputs
On Saturday, during the inauguration of a BJP office in Rajkot, party leader and film actor Paresh Rawal had an apparent ‘slip of tongue’ when he declared, “It was Sardar Patel who united the ‘Rajwada monkeys’ and created one India.” The statement went viral as a 20-second Gujarati video clip across the state, which immediately infuriated the Rajput community who threatened protests against the BJP and Paresh Rawal.
In no time Paresh Rawal tendered his apology which was informed to The Quint by Raj Shekhawat, Gujarat in-charge of Shree Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, who said, “Yes he has apologised to the community. We are not here to create drama over politics, but if any party insults the culture and heritage of the Rajputs, they will be dealt severely during the upcoming elections.”
Meanwhile the Election Commission has issued a notice to Archbishop Thomas Macwan seeking an explanation over the letter he wrote declaring war against nationalist forces.
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