Gujarat polls: Dissidence plagues political outfits

In first signs of dissent within Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), BJP MLA from Savarkundla, Kalu Virani, on Saturday nominated himself as an independent candidate from the constituency. BJP has nominated Vallabh Vaghasiya instead of Virani for the seat.

Virani was recently embroiled in a family dispute where his daughter blamed him of corruption and other domestic issues.

Congress is facing a similar situation in Junagadh. Girish Kotecha, deputy mayor of the town and former party loyalist, will contest as an independent candidate from the constituency. He has claimed support of 24 councilors of Junagadh Municipal Corporation.

“I was associated with Congress for 25 years and retained in the local civic body, despite a state government of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),” said Kotecha. “Congress leaders undermined me but people of Junagadh will get me justice,” he added. Kotecha and his supporters on Saturday submitted their resignations with Bhikha Joshi, who is former member of legislative assembly and now a Congress candidate.

Four BJP municipal councilors tendered their resignations to protest against the party’s decision to allot ticket to Sangita Patil for the Limbayat constituency. “Instead of giving ticket to a local leader, BJP selected Sangita Patil who is from Udhna, not from Limbayat," said a dissenting leader.