Ahmed Patel, the Gandhi family’s most trusted aide is seeking his 5th term in the Rajya Sabha from his home state of Gujarat. He is facing the toughest battle of his political life.
This year, as soon as Patel had filed his nomination papers, the Congress suffered a huge setback when 3 of its 57 legislators resigned and one of them Balwantsinh, who once considered Ahmed Patel his mentor, became a BJP candidate opposing him in the forthcoming elections.
Subsequently, three more legislators resigned, forcing the Congress leadership to sequester away the remaining legislators, fearing more resignations and ‘buy’ overs ahead of the voting. Moreover, seven more MLAs led by former Leader of Opposition Shankersinh Vaghela have rebelled against the party, though they have not resigned as legislators but are likely to cross vote against Patel.
Now the RS elections have taken over the look of a full scale war between the two national parties where the Ruling party is allegedly stooping to any means, including using IT and CRPF as tools to defeat “Sonia’s Man.” It is a fight to the finish between two Gujarathis: Ahmed Patel and Amish Shah.
But what was seeming a clear defeat for Patel is looking more positive now.
The two scenarios that may play out – (with BJP strength at 121, Congress at 51, NCP 2, Ind. 1 and JD-U 1 )
Scenario one: If all 51 Congress MLAs vote for Patel he will clinch the nomination comfortably.
Scenario two: If all dissidents vote against him, he will garner 44 votes and lose by one vote unless NCP /Ind/ JD vote for him.
“As of now, it looks like Ahmed bhai will scrap through with help of three outsiders because Shankersinh Vaghela and Balwantsinh have not been able to get more 17-18 members as they were talking about,” a political insider from Gandhinagar said.
We have adequate numbers to ensure Ahmedbhai’s victory. Besides the 44 MLAs of our party, we have the support of NCP, JD (U) and GPP legislators” Congress chief whip Shailesh Parmar told a Hindu correspondent in Gujarat.
