Drama, huddles, complaints mark RS poll A lot at stake for BJP, Cong master strategists
SLUGFEST Cong demands votes of its 2 MLAs be rejected; BJP calls for immediate counting If neither Cong nor election observers objected, then their validity can’t be questioned. THE RESULT WILL ALSO HAVE A BEARING ON THE UNITY THAT NONBJP FORCES
WERE TRYING TO FORGE AGAINST THE BJP
The BJP and Congress on Tuesday traded charges after counting of votes in the Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls got delayed, with the latter demanding cancellation of votes of its two MLAs for alleged violation of rules and the saffron party insisting that counting be taken up immediately.
Congress’ Ahmed Patel and Balvantsinh Rajput, the party rebel who joined the BJP, are pitted against each other in a keen contest for the third Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat. BJP national president Amit Shah and Union minister Smriti Irani are the other candidates for two more seats.
In a day of twists and turns, the Congress claimed that its two rebel legislators had flashed their ballots to the BJP polling agent. “We demanded that the video of the proceeding be checked and our claim verified. We insisted that two votes be cancelled,” said Congress spokesman Shaktisinh Gohil, adding if required the party will take the fight to the Supreme Court.
Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said, “The Congress delayed the counting because they saw the defeat coming.’’
He said the state election office rejected the Congress’s plea for cancellation of two votes.
As the returning officer overruled the Congress objection, the drama switched to the Election Commission but not before many lawmakers came out and declared their votes.
In the morning, former Congress legislature party leader Shankersinh Vaghela was in the spotlight as he claimed he had not voted for Patel.
“I did not vote for the Congress. I did not want to waste my vote as the Congress is not winning,” he said.
He also claimed that as many as eight Congress MLAs crossvoted, ensuring that the party’s official candidate lose.
However, Patel was quick to retort, saying he was confident of his victory.
Those who cross-voted also included Karmshi Patel, Congress MLA from Sanand, who was among the 44 MLAs herded by the Congress to Bengaluru after they levelled charges of horse-trading against the BJP.
All the 44 MLAs, who were on Monday taken from Bengaluru to a resort in Anand, were on Tuesday brought together in a bus to a polling station in secretariat. State senior leaders lined up to greet them as they got down from bus and left for polling.
Request for proxy by Dhamsi Rajputana, one of the Congress MLAs who expressed inability to write, was rejected by election commission as such request should be made at least three days prior to the voting. He later had to vote by himself.
The poll turned out to be cliffhanger as suspense prevailed over whom did one of the two NCP MLAs and lone JD(U) MLA vote for.
While Kandhal Jadeja was seen taking blessings of BJP chief Amit Shah after casting his vote, indicating his vote for the BJP, NCP’s second MLA and state president Jayant Patel said, “Whip is clear. We are the partners of the UPA’’.
JD(U) MLA Chhotu Vasava kept his cards close to the chest saying, “I have voted for the country and as per the party’s ideology,” he said. This came after JD (U) national spokesperson KC Tyagi said that the lone legislator in Gujarat had voted for the party’s latest ally the BJP.
Later, Patel visited Vasava’s residence in Gandhinagar, which sparked speculation that his vote might have gone in Congress’ favour.
Patel, however, till the evening maintained, “I am very optimistic about the win. Let the results come.”
Meanwhile, the celebrations were interrupted at the Shree Kamalam, BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar, following the delay in counting process. Thousands of BJP workers thronged the headquarters following claims from their leaders that their three candidates had won.
It is not about just a Rajya Sabha berth. The tug of war played in Gujarat and Delhi on Tuesday, and before, signals the importance of the western state and the contest for the three Rajya Sabha seats.
Out of power in the home state of PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah for the past 22 years, the Congress is struggling to dethrone the ruling party. A loss barely a few months ahead of the assembly elections will take the sting out of the Congress.
A win will definitely come as a morale booster for the factionridden Congress and infuse fresh energy among its cadre to take on the BJP. It could also stem the exodus in the Congress triggered by the exit of veteran leader Shankersinh Vaghela.
The Congress high command will also take a call on naming its choice as the party’s face for the upcoming polls without succumbing to any pressure. The party leadership has so far decided to fight the polls under the leadership of present state chief Bharatsinh Solanki.
The outcome will have bearing on the reputation of the two master strategists — Amit Shah and Ahmed Patel. Shah is making debut as a parliamentarian and he will like to top it up by decimating the Congress. A clean sweep helps the BJP to reaffirm that its Congress-mukt Bharat campaign hasn’t lost steam.
The Congress is desperately looking for a new lease of life in post-Narendra Modi era of Gujarat and the defection in its camp did not serve the purpose for the party.
The result of the election will also have a bearing on the unity that non-BJP forces such as Hardik Patel were trying to forge against the BJP. Nationally, the verdict will ignite a debate about Congress’ capability to pull off victories in tough electoral battles and keeping its house together in difficult times.