Gujarat Congress lodges complaint with EC against state minister

Ahmedabad, Nov 22 (UNI) The Gujarat Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that Congress supporters in Botad constituency were threatened by Gujarat Energy Minister Saurabh Patel's supporters.

Gujarat Congress vice-president Balubhai Patel had also lodfged complaints with the district collector and DSP, apart from the EC, alleging that Koli Patel leader and Congress worker Manish Patel was threatened over the phone by the Minister's supporters.

Manish Patel was allegedly asked to ''leave the constituency or face dire consequences,'' the complaint said.

Balubhai Patel, in his complaint, has mentioned a mobile phone number from which the threatening calls were made. The mobile number belongs to a BJP worker, Mr Sakaria.

The caller allegedly asked the Koli leader not to campaign for Congress candidate Chandravadan Pithawala in the Botad constituency from where Saurabh Patel is contesting.

Saurabh Patel's ire has been directed against Manish Patel since the latter had supported the Minister in the last elections but was now supporting the Congress, according to the complaint.

The Congress has demanded legal action against the BJP Minister and police protection for its workers.

UNI