Ahmedabad, 19 March 2014

The Gujarat Congress is facing trouble in Banaskantha district of north Gujarat.

Around 100 Maldhari community members led by party man Raghubhai Desai today gathered in Ahmedabad to protest party’s decision to give ticket to Dhanera MLA Joitabhai Patel.

Joitabhai Patel’s name as candidate was announced by Congress yesterday from Delhi.

Speaking to media, Raghubhai Desai said ” there were three names in panal prepared by party for candidature on Banaskantha seat. Sagar Rayka Govabhai Desai’s names were not found as per party’s criteria, and therefore only my name was left in the list. In fact I was told by party leaders that my selection was certain following which I had started preparing for election. But yesterday suddenly Joitabhai’s name was declared from Delhi. This is injustice to Maldhari community, and therefore we are protesting.”

As rebel candidate, Raghubhai Desai had got 27,771 votes in year 2007 assembly elections on then Radhanpur seat. Raghubhai has been party’s state secretary and general secretary in past.