LS polls: Advani loyalist Harin Pathak hurt over ticket denial
Says difficult for outsider to fulfill expectation of A'bad
Seven-time BJP member of parliament from Ahmedabad-East seat and L K Advani loyalist, Harin Pathak, on Sunday expressed his displeasure over his party denying him ticket for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and said that he was 'hurt' by the decision, but denied being targeted for being close to Advani.
Hinting at actor Paresh Rawal who was nominated from the Ahmedabad-East seat by the BJP, Pathak indicated that it would be difficult for an outsider to fulfill the expectations of the people of Ahmedabad. BJP on Saturday announced name of Rawal, who is close to BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, from the Ahmedabad-East seat which Pathak has represented for seven terms.
Pathak further announced that he would decide on further course of action after consulting his supporters in the next three days. He, however, denied any plans to resign from BJP and contesting as an independent as on now.
"Since last 2-3 three months, as being part of the original Jan Sangh, the BJP two which I have dedicated 48 years of my life, the developments have hurt me and the party workers. It is beyond my imagination why the party has inducted tainted fourth grade turncoats from Congress. They have been openly criticising the BJP in open forums but now they have not only been welcomed in BJP, but also given ticket to contest polls," Pathak told mediapersons at his residence in Ahmedabad's Maninagar area.
"I do not understand what was the need of this when Narendra Modi has a personality and when he is so popular. I am ashamed that such people from the Congress have been included in the BJP for obvious reasons," he said, adding that BJP workers across Gujarat have been hurt over this decision of the party top brass. "I am worried that this will demoralise the party workers. Thought of it hurts more," Pathak explained. On him being denied ticket for Lok Sabha 2014, Pathak said, "The decision of the party came as a surprise to me too. I am deeply hurt by it. Even by supporters are dejected with the decision. I will be taking further action after three days, after consulting my supporter who are coming to meet me."
When asked if he was being side-lined for being close to Advani, Pathak said he did not agree to it. On nomination Paresh Rawal, Pathak said without taking the actor's name, "What I have understood over the 39 years I have served people here, is that people of Ahmedabad want representative who stays here and who is not an outsider."
Asked if he believed that Modi has become bigger than the party, he said, "Nobody is bigger than the party, party is big and party worker is bigger than the party as he makes it." "This is the decision of party's parliamentary board," Pathak said when questioned if Modi was responsible for him being denied the ticket.
Today morning a team of BJP leader met Pathak and had discussion with him. Pathak also had a telephonic talk with Modi, senior party leaders I K Jadeja and Vaju Vala.
Pathak also expressed displeasure over the selection of candidates for other seat by the party.
Hinting at actor Paresh Rawal who was nominated from the Ahmedabad-East seat by the BJP, Pathak indicated that it would be difficult for an outsider to fulfill the expectations of the people of Ahmedabad. BJP on Saturday announced name of Rawal, who is close to BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, from the Ahmedabad-East seat which Pathak has represented for seven terms.
Pathak further announced that he would decide on further course of action after consulting his supporters in the next three days. He, however, denied any plans to resign from BJP and contesting as an independent as on now.
"Since last 2-3 three months, as being part of the original Jan Sangh, the BJP two which I have dedicated 48 years of my life, the developments have hurt me and the party workers. It is beyond my imagination why the party has inducted tainted fourth grade turncoats from Congress. They have been openly criticising the BJP in open forums but now they have not only been welcomed in BJP, but also given ticket to contest polls," Pathak told mediapersons at his residence in Ahmedabad's Maninagar area.
"I do not understand what was the need of this when Narendra Modi has a personality and when he is so popular. I am ashamed that such people from the Congress have been included in the BJP for obvious reasons," he said, adding that BJP workers across Gujarat have been hurt over this decision of the party top brass. "I am worried that this will demoralise the party workers. Thought of it hurts more," Pathak explained. On him being denied ticket for Lok Sabha 2014, Pathak said, "The decision of the party came as a surprise to me too. I am deeply hurt by it. Even by supporters are dejected with the decision. I will be taking further action after three days, after consulting my supporter who are coming to meet me."
When asked if he was being side-lined for being close to Advani, Pathak said he did not agree to it. On nomination Paresh Rawal, Pathak said without taking the actor's name, "What I have understood over the 39 years I have served people here, is that people of Ahmedabad want representative who stays here and who is not an outsider."
Asked if he believed that Modi has become bigger than the party, he said, "Nobody is bigger than the party, party is big and party worker is bigger than the party as he makes it." "This is the decision of party's parliamentary board," Pathak said when questioned if Modi was responsible for him being denied the ticket.
Today morning a team of BJP leader met Pathak and had discussion with him. Pathak also had a telephonic talk with Modi, senior party leaders I K Jadeja and Vaju Vala.
Pathak also expressed displeasure over the selection of candidates for other seat by the party.
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First Published: Mar 23 2014 | 8:56 PM IST