Grand welcome for Patel; MPs keen to know about the winning vote

Back in the capital after his Rajya Sabha poll win, Congress leader Ahmed Patel was the cynosure of all eyes in Parliament as opposition lawmakers made a beeline to congratulate him and sought to know the secret behind his victory by a wafer-thin margin.
 
The 67-year-old Patel was surrounded by several Congress leaders in Parliament and leaders of non-BJP parties also who believe that his victory will give the main opposition the much-needed boost ahead of the assembly elections later this year.
 
Patel kept mum on the much-asked question of the one vote that saw him sail through the rough waters of the Rajya Sabha elections. However, party colleagues said the crucial winning vote belonged to Chhotubhai Vasava of the JD(U), who ignored the party whip and backed Patel.
 
Eight Congress MLAs cross-voted in favour of the BJP candidate Balwantsinh Rajput as also the two NCP legislators who turned their back on the party leadership to support the BJP.
 
Overthrowing the challenge posed by BJP President Amit Shah appeared to have further strengthened Patel's resolve to oust the BJP government from Gujarat and from the Centre.
 
“Now the time has come to tell the BJP to vacate the seat of power. The BJP's game is up. It is time for those who are in power to be sent packing,” Patel said at a rally organised by the Youth Congress.
 
He did not name Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP President Amit Shah. “Two persons are misusing central investigation agencies, Even the BJP is afraid of these two people. You know who these two people are. One is a constitutional authority and the other is an extra-constitutional authority,” Shah said.
 
The old guard in the party appeared elated at Patel's victory as they hoped it would strengthen his hands ahead of the organisational reshuffle expected in the Congress next month.
 
Congress leaders are keenly watching whether Rahul Gandhi, who had succeeded in having persons close to him appointed to key posts in the party, would cede some space to Patel.
 
Though the initiative to seek disqualification of the two rebel Congress legislators was taken by Randeep Surjewala and R P N Singh – leaders considered close to Rahul Gandhi – it was the forceful and clear arguments by P Chidambaram at the Election Commission that ensured a favourable outcome.