Chhotu Vasava's BTP could be X factor in three seats

Chhotu Vasava-led Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) could very well play the role of kingmaker in three of the four tribal seats, where it has fielded its candidates.

The BTP candidates are in the fray in Chhota Udepur, Bardoli and Valsad seats, and though they are unlikely to win, they could make a dent in Congress' vote-share, and prove to be the difference between winning and losing. The BTP has also fielded candidates in Bharuch, Sabarkantha and Ahmedabad West seat, but not in Dahod ST seat.

"BTP is definitely a huge factor. Unlike in the past when Chhotu Vasava's influence was limited to parts of Bharuch, it now extends across the eastern tribal belt of the state, and even in Rajasthan, where BTP won two seats. BTP could decide the winners in the tribal belt," said a senior Congress leader, requesting anonymity.

He said that BTP could also be a factor in Sabarkantha Lok Sabha seat.

Anil Bhagat, a close aide of Chhotu Vasava, said that they are confident of doing well in Bharuch, and in the other seats where BTP has put up candidates.

Many in the Congress fear that the party could end up ruing the decision to not accommodate Chhotu Vasava's demand to support his candidature in Bharuch seat in return for him returning the favour in the other tribal seats. And to make matters worse, Congress fielded rival strongman Shaqur Khan Pathan's son Sher Khan Pathan as its candidate from Bharuch against Chhotu Vasava and BJP candidate Mansukh Vasava.