Although the AICC was yet to make any formal announcement, former Congress MP from Amreli, Virji Thumar today claimed that he has been selected by the party high command for the Amreli Lok Sabha seat.
Thumar claimed that state Congress in-charge Gurudas Kamat informed him about party's decision this morning.
"I received a phone call from our general secretary Gurudas Kamat at 11 am today. He told me that I have been selected as a Congress candidate for the Amreli seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections," Thumar said.
As the reports about Thumar's selection spread in Amreli, large number of his supporters gathered outside his house and started celebrations. However, office-bearers of Gujarat Congress are yet to confirm his selection.
"Usually, candidates are declared by AICC through a formal announcement in Delhi. Thumar claims that he was informed by Kamat on phone. We are waiting for the official announcement before giving our confirmation about his selection," state Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.
However, Thumar claimed that his name will be there in the official list too.
"There is nothing wrong about informing a candidate prior to the official announcement. Kamat even asked me to come down to Delhi to discuss poll strategy. Thus, I am going to Delhi tomorrow," Thumar said.
Thumar is considered a strong leader from Patel community. He was elected as Congress MP in 2004. However, he was not selected by his party in 2009 Lok Sabha election after a forgery complaint was lodged against him. Instead, Congress gave ticket to his wife Nilaben Thumar in 2009. However she lost to BJP candidate.
Thumar now claims that all the police complaints against him were politically motivated.
"My opponents lodged several bogus FIRs against me in the past. The courts have already discarded majority of these complaints. Since I am favourite among all the communities here, BJP is already worried about my selection," he claimed.
Congress has announced names of 11 candidates so far for the parliamentary polls while the BJP is yet to announce any list.
