17 BJP MLAs to fight polls as rebels

AHMEDABAD: The BJP will have to brace itself for a massive wave of dissidence which may become a bane for the party in this crucial assembly election. As many as 22 MLAs dropped by the party have resigned from the assembly as a mark of protest and 17 of them are contesting the polls from the Congress or as independents.

On Wednesday, two more MLAs of the party, Dilip Patel and Rajesh Pathak, resigned from the assembly after being dropped taking the total to 22. Both the MLAs will contest the election as independent candidates from their respective constituencies of Anand and Balasinor.

"The rebels will damage the BJP's fortunes on at least 35 seats in the state, particularly in Saurashtra. More than the Congress, the rebels will prove to be the BJP's nemesis," said BJP rebel leader Siddharth Parmar.

Out of the 17 MLAs dropped by the party, seven are contesting from Congress tickets and ten as independents. Those who will not be contesting the polls but working very effectively behind the scenes are suspended BJP MLAs Gordhan Zadaphia and Parmar, apart from rebel leader Suresh Mehta.

Two more MLAs Haresh Bhatt and Rakesh Rav who were dropped by the party may also join the rebel camp, said sources.

The rebel candidates in the polls are spread across the state but will deal the maximum damage only in Saurashtra, which is the fountainhead of rebel activity.