Rajkot, 14 May 2013

Gujarat Congress on Tuesday changed its candidate for Dhoraji assembly seat. The party replaced earlier announced candidate Raju Kotadia with Haribhai Patel.

Dhoraji-Upleta area has good number of Kadva Patel voters, and owner of Krishna park hotel Haribhai Patel(Kansagra) is from Kadva Patel.

Earlier announced candidate Rajubhai Kotadia was also from Kadva Patel community, however as per the sources, he was not willing to spend too much money of his own in the election, therefore party fielded another candidate.

Haribhai Patel is hoteliar who has his water park, and hotels in Saurashtra and in Diu.

BJP candidate Pravin Makadia is also from Kadva Patel community. Pravin Makadia was three term MLA of Upleta seat. However in last elections, Upleta seat merged with Dhoraji due to new delimitation. Makadia was denied ticket to contest from Dhoraji, and instead of him the BJP had given ticket to former MP Haribhai Patel who was ultimately defeated by rival Congress candidate Vitthal Radadia by 2900 votes.

Radadia later resigned from Dhoraji assembly seat after joining BJP. He is contesting Porbandar Lok sabha seat on BJP ticket now.