Cong woos Kolis in Guj after Bavaliya's exit, holds convention

The Congress in Gujarat organised a convention to strengthen its base in the Koli community here today following the exit of senior leader Kunwarji Bavaliya.

Bavaliya, MLA from Jasdan in Rajkot district who belongs to the numerically strong Koli community, quit the party last month to join the BJP. He was made a cabinet minister in the state government.

The convention was attended by state Congress chief Amit Chavda and Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani.

The community has a sizable presence in the Saurashtra region.

Bavaliya's resignation from the Congress has necessitated a by-election for Jasdan seat. The poll date is yet to be announced.

Addressing the gathering, Chavda said the people will teach Bavaliya a lesson in the by-election.

"Kunwarji thinks he is above the party and people, and therefore he quit Congress to join BJP out of self-interest. He was elected on Congress symbol and quit the party for personal gains. But the voters will not forgive him," he said.

The convention was aimed at strengthening the party's base in the Koli community ahead of the by-election and the coming general election, Chavda said.

"The BJP has ignored the community for the last two decades while the Congress has always paid attention to the members of the community and given them equal opportunity," he said.

Congress MLAs from the Koli community who attended the gathering included Soma Patel, Rutvik Makwana, Raju Gohil and Vimal Chudasama.