Tie-up with BTP leaves Congress workers confused

SURAT: Utter confusion prevails in Congress party's Mangrol unit in Surat district ever since it entered into a poll understanding with Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) founded by Chhotu Vasava. However, Congress, which agreed to give this seat to BTP as per an electoral understanding between them, alongside also gave the mandate to its worker to contest.

Congress worker Narsinh Vasava thus filed his nomination papers and was followed soon by BTP candidate Uttam Vasava. The problem for BTP is that its candidate at the moment is languishing in Rajkot Central Jail after his detention under PASA. The present situation has created lot of confusion for workers of both the parties. Meanwhile, NCP has nominated Jagatsinh Vasava as its candidate from Mangrol, which had been electing BJP minister Ganpat Vasava for the past three elections. BJP has once again renominated Ganpat Vasava as its candidate from Mangrol. Ganpat Vasava had in the last elections defeated late Amarsinh Chaudhary's son Tejas Chaudhary by a margin of 31,106 votes.

Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Bharatsinh Solanki had sent an official letter informing party workers about his party's understanding with BTP about Mangrol seat. However, the letter reached the concerned party workers after the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers on November 24. This is why BTP and Congress candidates both are in fray now despite the electoral understanding between the two parties, party leaders claimed.

"We informed the party leadership that BTP candidate was not physically present in the constituency. Therefore, his chances of defeating BJP candidate were nil. We said our candidate was strong and should be allowed to campaign," Mangrol Congress spokesman Idris Mallik said.

BTP president Chhotu Vasava said, "Congress leadership has told us it would step aside. The issue would be sorted out soon. Our candidate will still win."

Mangrol has a total of 2.08 lakh voters. The tribal community of Vasavas has 75,000 voters, Gamits and Chaudhary 15,000 voters each. There are 45,000 minority voters too in this tribal-dominated constituency.

"Congress and BTP workers are totally confused. The voters should not have any difficulty in making up their minds still," a local resident of Mangrol Nazir P said.

by via Surat News, Latest Surat News Headlines & Live Updates - Times of India