Vaghela Searching For A Safe Seat

Gujarat Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela has decided to shift from his old constituencies in Godhra and Gandhinagar. He is looking for another constituency to get elected to the state assembly.

This time I have decided to seek election from north Gujarat. It may be Sami Harij or Mehamdabad or any other constituency in north Gujarat. I do not see much problem. Some 10-12 MLAs have offered to vacate their seats in the assembly to let me get elected, Vaghela told Business Standard.

The law stipulates a six-month period for a Chief Minister who is not a member of the assembly to get elected. In Vaghelas case, the six month period expires on May 23. I think the proper time would be between April 10 and April 25 in order to enter the assembly well before the expiry period, Vaghela said. The chief ministers detractors, however, said he was leaving some time in order to contest a second time in the event of his losing the by-election.

The BJP, which he removed from power in the wake of a revolt, is committed to make it difficult for him to get reelected. The sadhus aligned to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad who made his defeat possible in the last Lok Sabha polls in Godhra has announced a programme to fight him tooth and nail whereever he contests.

Asked whether he will not face resistance from the Patel community in north Gujarat, Vaghela said, You have Patels everywhere, even in Saurashtra. That is no reason why I should not choose my own constituency.

But the mention of Sami Harij, an extremely backward area, speaks for itself. The place has fewer Patels and most of its population are from backward castes who are supporting his government.

The Congress is with me. Only the BJP will try to create trouble for me. I am sure it will not be difficult to overcome their resistance, he said.

Vaghelas government is entirely dependent on the outside support extended by the Congress. Internal dissensions within the Congress is a strong reason why he has managed to hold on to power in Gujarat.