Gujarat: Jugalji Thakor's nomination may be Alpesh Thakor's end

The selection of Jugalji Thakor as a BJP's candidate for Rajya Sabha election is considered to be a severe setback for Thakor Sena leader, Alpesh Thakor.

Alpesh won from Radhanpur Vidhan Sabha constituency in 2017 polls as a Congress candidate. However, he tried to bargain for his supporters to get the party's mandate for Lok Sabha elections. Alleging that he and his community were not given due importance, he resigned from all posts within the Congress party on April 10.

There was speculation about him joining BJP and getting rewarded. However, with Jugalji being selected for Rajya Sabha, the BJP leadership has effectively sidelined Alpesh. Moreover, about two months ago, Congress had asked Assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi to disqualify Alpesh as an MLA. Now, Congress has moved to High Court, which has asked the Speaker to decide on Congress' application. This has put Alpesh in a fix. The only way left for him is that he and his aides vote for BJP candidates during Rajya Sabha elections, which can put him in the good books of BJP and ensure that his political career does not come to an abrupt end.