Though the process of taking Congress leaders in the saffron fold started ahead of Gujarat Assembly elections in 2012 but its repercussions have surfaced only after the announcement of BJP candidates in the State. Of its 26 lok Sabha seats, 11 BJP candidates came from the Congress origin.
The candidates who had the Congress connection in the past are — Vithal Radadia from Porbander constituency, Devji Fatepura from Surendranagar, Kirit Solanki (Ahmedabad West), Punam Madam (Jamnagar), liladhar Vaghela (Patan), Prabhatsinh Chauhan (Panchmahal), Ramsinh Rathava (Chhota Udepur), KC Patel (Valsad), Prabhu Vasava (Bardoli), Devusinh Chauhan (Kheda) and Vinod Chavda (Kutch).
Sources in the Gujarat BJP informed that there has been internal discontent among the workers who have remained loyal to the party. “However, it is not surfacing as no one dares to question the decision of the party high command,” said the sources.
Explaining the situation, a senior BJP leader in the State said that the BJP think tank has chosen these candidates only after looking at the bigger picture “We are targeting to win all 26 seats from the State. ‘Winnability’ is the most important criteria. Those who have been given tickets are now contesting for a cause — to bring National Democratic Alliance (NDA) into power. Besides, whatever their past may be, their present and future is now aligned with the BJP,” he added.
Exodus from the Congress to BJP started ahead of Assembly elections in 2012, when strong leuva Patel leader and sitting Congress MP Vithal Radadiya along with his MlA son Jayesh joined the BJP. later, another strong Patel leader in Ahmedabad, Narhari Amin joined the saffron party. Since then, the migration process has been in full throttle with more than five sitting Congress MlAs joining the Bhartiya Janata Party.
Young Punam Madam joined the BJP 2012. She was not only welcomed in the saffron brigade but made contested from Khambalia Assembly segment from where the Congress didn’t give her a ticket. Amid Modi wave, she became an MlA. In less than two years, the Convent educated OBC candidate has been selected to contest lS elections from Jamnagar.
Radadiya father-son duo’s status never changed, though they alter party-line. Radadiya joined the BJP by resigning as the Congress MP and his son resigned as Jetpur MlA. After joining the BJP, both emerged victorious from the same lS and Assembly constituency in the by-elections last year. In fact junior Radadiya was made Minister of State for Tourism.
Tribal candidate Prabhu Vasava joined the saffron brigade just two months back and now he is the candidate for Bardoli against Congress candidate Dr Tushar Chaudhary.Same is the case with Kutch candidate Chavda who has joined the BJP just one-and-half month back.
Few months back BJP cadres were working against these candidates, now suddenly they are being told to work in favour of them. Explaining the situation, a senior BJP leader said that this is the situation where discipline of any political party is tested.