Patidar leader AJ Patel Congress' pick from Mahesana

With just two days left for closure of the deadline for filing of nomination papers for Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat, the Congress has nominated former government officer and Patidar leader AJ Patel from Mahesana seat, which is dominated by the Patel community.

The BJP, which is weighing options among ticket hopefuls, is yet to announce its nominee.

Patel's name was declared by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) late night on Monday.

The 73-year-old former government officer belongs to politically and economically powerful 'Kadva Patel' sub-caste of the Patidar community.

Prior to joining politics, Patel had served as a class-I officer in various capacities, including as joint commissioner of industries and as a controller of legal meteorology, before taking voluntary retirement.

He had served as the president of Congress' Patan district panchayat, and as chief of 'Samast Choryasi Kadva Patidar Samaj' in Mehsana and Patan districts.

At present, Patel is serving as the director of 'the Mehsana Urban Co-operative Bank'.

Mahesana constituency is spread across seven assembly segments, namely Unjha, Visnagar, Bechraji, Kadi, Mahesana, Vijapur and Mansa.

Sitting MP Jayshreeben Patel of the BJP had defeated Congress heavyweight Jivabhai Patel in 2009 and in 2014 elections. Jivabhai recently switched over to the BJP.

A J Patel Tuesday said he would work for the overall development of Mahesana, if elected.

"There is the issue of unemployment in the constituency. Though there are some small industries in Mehsana, we need bigger industries to create more jobs for youths. We also need a railway corridor to help local industries in expanding their business. I will try to resolve these issues if elected," he told reporters in Mehsana.

Polling for all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat will be held on April 23.

Excluding Mahesana, Ahmedabad (East) and Surat constituencies, the BJP has announced candidates for rest 23 constituencies.

In the 2014 elections, the BJP had whitewashed the Congress which failed to win even a single seat in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.