Vaghela sees 'conspiracy' in Congress win in Rajya Sabha

Shankersinh Vaghela, former Gujarat chief minister and rebel Congress leader, on Thursday hit out at Congress party for “conspiring” to get its candidate Ahmed Patel win one seat in the Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections.

Vaghela, who quit from all party posts on July 21 this year, claimed that the move by Congress to get the votes of two legislators disqualified was part of the plan to secure the berth for Ahmed Patel in the Upper House. “The Congress has not won because of its own votes but by either JD(U) or NCP,” he said.

Speaking to media persons at his residence in Gandhinagar, Vaghela also questioned the right of the Election Commission to interfere in the poll process, stating that it was the right of the Returning Officer (RO) to end the dispute between the parties.

Talking about him voting against his long-time friend Ahmed Patel after having maintained that his vote was reserved for Patel, Vaghela said that he had done so as per wishes of his loyalist legislators. “They met me a day before and requested me to stand by them, saying that they were putting their political careers on the line. I voted against Patel for them,” Vaghela said.

Vaghela claimed that when Gurudas Kamat, the then party in charge in the state, at his residence, there was 36 legislators present who had expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s working. “What was the need to take its MLAs to Bengaluru and treat them to luxury. At least twenty more legislators would have jumped otherwise. Reports are that they even resorted to horse trading within the party,” Vaghela said.

Meanwhile, his legislator son Mahendrasinh Vaghela said that he, along with other seven who cross-voted against Congress official candidate in Rajya Sabha polls would soon join Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “We have met Amit Shah, chief minister Vijay Rupani and state party chief Jitu Vaghani and expressed our willingness to join BJP in whatever capacity they say. All of us will get together and take a decision on the timing soon,” he told media persons. “As for my father, he has made it clear that he is neither joining BJP or any other political party.”

All the rebel 14 legislators, including three who joined BJP earlier, and 11 others have been expelled from Congress on Wednesday for “anti-party” activities.