Delimitation puts Cong in a fix over candidate selection

Vadodara, Nov 29: Delimitation of constituencies in Gujarat has caused discomfort for the

at Mahudha constituency in Kheda district ahead of the upcoming assembly elections with two of its veteran leaders, Shankarbhai Vaghela and Natvarsinh Thakor, vying for a ticket.

The situation arose after Vaghela's Chaklasi constituency disappeared as a result of re-arrangement of seats. The Congress is in a dilemma over whom to contest for Mahudha since both the leaders have expressed a desire to contest the election from the same seat.

The 79-year-old Vaghela has been winning from Chaklasi for the last 22 years after he joined the Congress from the Janta Party in 1990 after being persuaded by former Chief Minister Madhavsinh Solanki. He has won all the five assembly polls held in the state since 1990.

Post delimitation, Chaklasi has been merged with Nadiad, Matar and Mahudha seats. The reason for which Vaghela has staked a claim to a poll ticket from the new constituency is that Chaklasi town has gone to Mahudha. He said his supporters have asked him to serve them politically despite the fact that he is not getting younger.

Thakor, 69, also a Kshatriya, has an undefeated record from Mahudha since 1990. In 1995, the year when the BJP won the election to come to power for the first time in Gujarat, Thakor had defeated Prof Kishorsinh Solanki.

However, some sources in the party said that Thakor is not a popular leader as Vaghela and he has been winning mainly in the name of the party for Mahudha is a Congress stronghold.

OneIndia News