Fearing poaching, Cong shifts panchayat members to unknown

As many as 36 newly-elected members of the Banaskantha district panchayat in Gujarat, all belonging to the Congress, were taken to a resort to prevent "poaching" by the BJP which failed to win a majority in recently-held panchayat elections, a party leader said today.
Out of the total 66 seats up for grabs, the Congress bagged 36 seats while the BJP was restricted to 30 seats.
"We fear a poaching attempt by the BJP in Banaskantha district panchayat where it has failed to gain a majority. Yesterday, winning Congress members from the district met at our state headquarters where it was decided they they will be taken to a resort to thwart any poaching attempt by the ruling party (to increase its tally)," state Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi told PTI.

He alleged the BJP was trying to put a "social and political pressure" on the Congress members and is offering money to lure them to its side.
"The BJP wants to ensure a majority so they they can install their own president and vice president in Banaskantha," Doshi said.
The BJP in 2013 wrested power from the Congress in the district panchayat despite the opposition party winning a majority, as its president switched sides along with some members.

"Looking at the past record, it is important for us to take a preventive measure. Our elected members will remain incommunicado for at least a week until the Election Commission issues a notification for the post of president and vice-president," Doshi said.

As per the results of the elections declared last week, the BJP won Kheda district panchayat while Banaskantha went to the Congress.
Out of 17 taluka panchayats which also went to polls, the BJP won 7, the Congress 8, while there was a tie on two panchayats.