Congressmen exchange blows in Ahmedabad

Infighting within the Congress has come to the fore as clashes between two groups of the party erupted in public outside the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee office at Ellisbridge on Friday.

Supporters of former mayor Himmatsinh Patel and former MP Dipak Babaria came to blows after heated arguments in their leaders' support. The issue started over a banner against Himmatsinh Patel put up near Indulal Yagnik's statue at Lal Darwaja. The banner contains offensive and abusive words for Himmatsinh Patel.

"Supporters of Dipak Babaria are behind the whole episode," alleged Dalsukh Patel, president of the Bapunagar Congress. Meanwhile, the party has called for a crucial meeting of members to plan for the 2012 assembly polls on January 2.