Close contest for Ahmed Patel in Gujarat, Cong confident of victory

The voting for three Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat end before 2.00 pm amidst charged political manoeuvring and cross-voting by several legislators.

“I am an optimist, I am confident,” Ahmed Patel, Congress candidate and senior party leader who was in the eye of the storm told media persons after completion of voting by 176 legislators at Swarnim Sankul – 2 of Gujarat State Assembly. It was Patel, who was being targeted by ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who despite having 122 legislators, enough to elect two representatives to Rajya Sabha, fielded Amit Shah, Smriti Irani and Balwantsinh Rajput against Patel.

With six of Congress legislators having quit party beforehand, its strength in the Assembly had reduced from 57 to 51 effectively. Of the remaining, former chief minister of Gujarat Shankarsinh Vaghela, who had announced his decision to quit the party on July 21, along with six other loyal legislators too cross-voted against Ahmed Patel on Tuesday. Other than Vaghela, the legislators who voted for Balwantsinh Rajput include Mahendrasinh Vaghela, Raghavji Patel, C K Raulji, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Bholabhai Gohil and Ashok Chaudhary. “A total of eight legislators have cross-voted against our official candidate,” Ashok Gehlot, senior Congress leader and party in-charge for the state said.

The saving grace for the party was that only one of the 44 legislators it had flown to Bengaluru resort cross-voted on a crucial day. “I voted for whom I wanted to,” Karamshi Patel, a legislator from Sanand, said after having voted against his party candidate Ahmed Patel. Karamshi was one of the 44 legislators who had been part of the group of 44. In fact, he was also seen having an altercation with senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil after casting his vote.

There was also minor flutter when Kankrej legislator Dharsi Khanpura sought proxy to vote, stating that he was physically unwell. This was opposed by BJP on technical grounds. However, the situation for Congress stabilised as Khanpura later went in to cast his vote.

With Patel requiring 45 first preference votes to win the elections, the mathematics added up to only 43 votes for Ahmed Patel. The Congress strongman, who had hoped to bag two NCP votes and lone JD(U) vote could also be a tad disappointed as one of the three legislators voting against him. While Chhotu Vasava of JD(U) and Jayant Patel (Bosky) of NCP are believed to have voted for Ahmed Patel, Kandhal Jadeja of NCP appears to have tilted towards BJP candidate Balwantsinh Rajput.

The Congress’ other hope of bagging one more vote of BJP legislator and rebel Dhari legislator Nalin Kotadia too turned futile as Kotadia decided to stick with BJP. He had taken a stand against party candidate in Presidential polls. “This time BJP has agreed to listen to my demands and I am confident that Patels would get justice from the party. I have voted accordingly,” he said post voting.

Despite the confusion, the Congress party leaders continued to maintain that there was no cross-voting from their side and were just rumours. “It is the BJP members who have resorted to cross-voting and the talk of cross-voting of one legislator among 44 MLAs is nothing but a rumour,” Himmatsinh Patel, Congress leader in the state said.

The party men seem relaxed and treated themselves to a sumptuous lunch after completing the voting. The 44 legislators were also handed back their mobiles in a cover at the office of the whip once they had done their bit.

If there was over excitement till voting by all Congress legislators was done, the voting by BJP legislators was a bit more organised. The BJP legislators and leaders, including chief minister Vijay Rupani, his deputy Nitin Patel and former chief minister Anandiben Patel came to the venue, flashed the victory sign, gave sound bytes, voted and moved on. The BJP National president Amit Shah remained present at the venue with his entourage throughout the day to monitor the situation in person. He was also joined by Union textiles minister Smriti Irani and third party candidate.

The BJP on its part continued to exude the confidence of its win. “I congratulate all the three BJP candidates. The foundation for 2017 elections and 2019 polls have been laid in today’s Rajya Sabha polls,” Anandiben Patel said.

With voting over, the results for the elections are slated to be out by evening.