Keen contest on cards for the Khadia assembly by-poll

Ahmedabad, Feb 10 (PTI) By-election at Khadia assemblyconstituency, which BJP has held for more than 25 years, islikely to be a keen contest between the Congress and theruling party due to the changed demographics.

Khadia, a constituency in the heart of the city, was heldfor the last seven terms by late Assembly speaker Ashok Bhatt,whose death necessitated election, to be held on February 14.

"We are not fighting to put up just a good show in theby-poll at Khadia, but we are fighting to win it," Congresspresident Siddarth Patel said.

BJP has fielded Ashok Bhatt''s son Bhushan, while theCongress has given ticket to local businessman Jagat Shukla.

The Congress is expressing confidence that it has a goodchance to win as the margin of victory in this walled-cityarea has been getting thinner for the BJP due to migration ofmembers of majority community to the better developed parts.

Congress is banking on the dalit and minority populationin the constituency whose numbers have increased.

The BJP, on the other hand, is confident that a sympathywave in favour of Ashok Bhatt''s son will help it.

Both the parties have done extensive planning, to takecare of every election booth, and have appointed state-levelleaders to overlook the preparations. The result will besignificant, as state assembly elections are due next year.