Vaghela claims detractors want him out of Cong, approaches Rahul
Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela has complained to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi that some detractors want him out of the party.
At a meet attended by his supporters in Gandhinagar on Saturday, Vaghela came down heavily on the state and national Congress leaders.
“I met Rahul Gandhi and complained to him that they (some people in Gujarat) want to see me out of the Congress,” said Vaghela referring to posters in Vadodara that project him as the CM of BJP or Congress, irrespective of whoever is voted to power.
He said Vadodara police told him that investigation into the posters’ complaint has landed at the Congress’ door and that he has directed the police to stop further probe into the matter.
For over a month, there have been rumours about Vaghela and his supporters joining the BJP as the high command refused to project him as the CM face in upcoming assembly elections.
“In 2012, I was asked to contest from Kapadvanj at the last minute even though I was keen on contesting from Gandhinagar. At the last moment, somebody becomes owner of the party and changes the narrative. I have seen this happening in 2002, 2007 and 2012. I have vast experience of winning elections and the party should use me wisely as this is my last election.”
He said Delhi doesn’t know what it takes to prepare well for the elections.
“Do we have to do only what Delhi says? They neither work, nor allow us to work. Nobody bothers to find what workers want and what are the concerns of candidates,” he added.
Maintaining that he was not power hungry, he said, “They tie our hands. How can we swim.’’