In Gujarat Congress struggles to survive not just against Coronavirus

Congress to keep its flock together ahead of June 19 RS poll

Unrest against three of Rahul brigadiers including Rajeev Satav

Specter of cross voting looms large over crucial RS poll on Friday

Mumbai

The whole world is fighting against coronavirus pandemic and it is a battle for the survival of mankind. However, in Gujarat, the Indian National Congress (INC) – the oldest political party is struggling for survival. Ahead of June 19 Rajya Sabha (RS) polls, eight Congress Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have tendered their resignation and Congress fears, some of its MLAs may vote against the party and in favour of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

There are 24 seats of the Rajya Sabha that are still vacant for which the polls will be held on Friday, June 19. The states where Congress and the BJP are in a direct contest include – Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are expected to have an interesting fight. Gujarat will go for polls for four vacant seats of RS.

In 182 member House in Gujarat, Congress’ tally is down to 65 as its eight MLAs have already resigned from the post in protest of three brigadiers from Rahul Gandhi. Rajeev Satav is the Gujarat state in-charge, state Congress president Amit Chavda and Paresh Dhanani – Leader of Opposition (LoP). 

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These three young leaders are from Rahul Gandhi camp and there is unrest among Congress MLAs about working style of these leaders, said sources in the Gujarat Congress. Despite making repeated attempts to call and text messages, Rajeev Satav did not respond. 

Meanwhile, the effective strength of the Assembly now stands at 172 due to resignation of eight MLAs and two seats are vacant due to court cases.

The BJP’s strength is 103 whereas Congress has 65. In the numbers game, taking note of the total number of MLAs and the vacant seats, it will require a quota of 35 votes to win for every candidate. The BJP which has 103 MLAs, has fielded three candidates including Abhay Bharadwaj, Ramilaben Bara and Narahari Amin. Whereas, the Congress which has 65 MLAs has fielded senior leaders Shaktisinh Gohil and Bharatsinh Solanki.  

BJP is sure about the victory of their two candidates – Bara and Bharadwaj, while Congress is assured of one seat. The contest is now for the remaining fourth post for which the BJP has fielded Narahari Amin who is a former Congress leader. 

As per the required quota to elect the candidate for the Upper House of the Parliament, the BJP will need an additional two votes whereas the Congress will need five additional votes. 

The role of the lone Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Kandhal Jadeja, the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) which has two MLAs – Chhotu Vasava and his son Mahesh Vasava will be crucial. 

Apart from these, an independent MLA Jignesh Mevani will play an important role. Even though these three MLA may extend their support to the Congress candidates, the Congress will still need two more votes. 

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Meanwhile, Congress fears that the ruling party could poach its MLAs and hence it has shifted its 65 MLAs to a resort in Congress-ruled Rajasthan for the last two weeks. Of which a batch of 20 MLAs has been shifted to a five-star hotel in Ahmedabad on June 16, three days before the RS polls. These 20 MLAs are from north Gujarat region.

Other MLAs of the party from Saurashtra, central Gujarat and south Gujarat regions  also reached Ahmedabad and have been shifted to a place near Gandhinagar, said state Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi while speaking with local media at Ahmedabad.

Earlier this month, the Congress had divided 65 of its MLAs into four different groups as per their constituencies and kept them at four different places in and outside Gujarat in a bid to save them from “poaching” attempts.