Gujarat: ‘Unhappy’ Vaghela to tell all on his b’day bash

Gujarat Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela on Tuesday announced celebration of his 77th birthday on July 21.

“The event is not a show of strength. Come with your family to listen to the message I have for the people of Gujarat, it will answer all your questions,” he told media persons here.

His announcement assumes significance as he protested media reports that he is likely to join BJP. Reports also claimed that he will quit politics.

Vaghela maintained a studied silence after meeting AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi recently but suddenly decided to hold a “sam-samvedna samarabh” (sensitive convention) at the Mahatma mandir on July 21.

He parried questions whether he proposed to invite state party in-charge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot and state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki, saying he would write to all legislators he represents as their leader.

Vaghela is reportedly happy with his national party leaders at the slow pace of preparedness for the ensuing Gujarat Vidhan Sabha elections in which the BJP is put its entire might.

Bapu, as he is known in Gujarat, had voiced his angst when he told his supporters on June 24 that if Congress has decided to commit suicide, “I am not prepared to be a party to it.”

On another occasion, he had pointed out that a change of candidates at the last minute in the 2012 state Assembly polls had cost the party 28 seats. The Congress had bagged 58 seats in a House of 182.