Cong leader Gohil steps aside from 2017 poll responsibilities

Internal bickering in Gujarat Congress came to the fore today when party's national spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil asked state leadership to relieve him of the responsibilities given to him with regard to the 2017 state polls.
In a letter to Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Bharatsinh Solanki, Gohil advised party members to "shed their ego" for the benefit of the party ahead of the next year's state elections.
His move comes a couple of days after Patan's ex-MP Jagdish Thakor submitted his resignation from all posts of state party unit.
Gohil was given the responsibility by Solanki of deciding poll candidates from districts like Rajkot, Kutch and a couple of others for the 2017 state Assembly elections.

"I request you to accept my resignation from special responsibilities given to me. I believe that it would be better for the party if the election is fought under the leadership of state party unit president and leader of opposition," Gohil said in the letter.
It is learnt that Gohil took the step as his meddling in poll affairs was opposed by local leaders of Rajkot and former MP Kuverji Bavalia.

"At a time when people of the state are fed up of BJP government and are looking with hope towards Congress, it is important that all leaders, workers and well-wishers of Congress in Gujarat should shed their egos and work together for defeating the BJP," Gohil said in his letter.

He also mentioned that he is ready to do any work as the party worker but will not take up any special responsibility regarding the elections.
The state polls are slated to be held in the later part of 2017. The stae Congress has started preparing for it.
The party leaders have so far refused to comment on Gohil's resignation.
On last Tuesday, former Congress MP from Gujarat Jagdish Thakor resigned from all party positions owing to his differences with the party's state leadership.
Thakor, who represented Patan seat from 2009 to 2014 in Lok Sabha, sent the resignation letter to Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki and Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela.

"I have resigned from all the posts (that) I was holding in Congress. However, I have not resigned as party worker. I have conveyed my decision to Solanki and Vaghela through a letter containing reasons behind my decision," Thakor had said.
His supporters had yesterday staged a protest in front of the state party headquarters here.