Gujarat: BJP, Cong face opposition from 'disgruntled' members

BJP and Congress today faced protests from disgruntled members over the selection of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls.
Congress saw opposition regarding the selection of candidates for the Ahmedabad-West (SC), Kutch (SC) and Banaskantha seats and ruling BJP in Mehsana, Dahod and Kheda.
Both BJP and Congress have announced nominations for 21 of the total 26 seats.
After Congress nominated Ishwar Makwana for Ahmedabad-West (SC) seat, sitting party MLA from Dariyapur Gyasuddin Shaikh raised his objection. In his representation to Gujarat Congress leaders, Shaikh claimed that Makwana is an 'imported' candidate.
"Makwana is basically from BJP and hails from Mehsana. When we already have strong Dalit leaders here, what was the need to import such candidates," asked Shaikh, referring to former IPS officer Rajan Priyadarshi and former IAS officer P K Valera. Both of them joined Congress after retirement.

"Both Priyadarshi and Valera are very learned and dedicated leaders. We have suggested their names for Ahmedabad West seat. However, since it didn't happen, I expressed my dissatisfaction to the high command," he said.
Similarly, some Congress workers are unhappy over its candidate for Kutch seat that is reserved for the SC category. After the selection of Jamnagar-based Dinesh Parmar for the seat, local Dalit leaders as well as supporters of other 'hopeful' candidates approached Kutch Congress president Navalsinh Jadeja yesterday to register their protest.
However, Jadeja is unfazed by the protests. "Some of our leaders and workers approached me and conveyed their concern to me. But I believe that our Dalit leaders will remain with us to fight against BJP," said Jadeja terming their protest as "minor".