In a sudden development, the Congress party on Wednesday night changed it’s candidate for the Navsari Lok Sabha seat.

Congress had earlier declared Bhavnaben Patel’s name for Navsari seat but tonight party decided to field Dhansukh Rajput replacing Bhavnaben. On Wednesday night, this sudden development sparked protests from Bhavnaben’s supporters who ransaked Congress office.

Bhavnaben, sarpanch(elected village head) of Chhapra village located on the outskirts of Navsari belongs to the Koli Patel community which numbers around 4.5 lakh in the constituency. She is president of the Sakhi Mandal movement that fights against the menace of liquor in the area. Bhavnaben along with a self help group of women, has smashed over two dozen liquor dens in and around the district.

Relatively lesser known Bhavnaben(30), a science graduate was the youngest of all the BJP/Congress candidates announced in the poll fray from the state. Bhavnaben had to contest against BJP’s heavyweight candidate C.R.Patil. She had started canvassing for the election but sudden development on Wednesday shocked all.

On Monday, Bhavnaben had submitted her nomination form at Navsari District Collector’s office, but without the party mandate, as it has not yet reached her. When the returning officer demanded the Mandate form, she said she will submit it in a couple of days as she has not received the same from the party higher-ups.

Bhavna had said: “I have not received the mandate from the party higher-ups due to some unknown reason. They have told me over the telephone that they will send it on Thursday. I am only going by the instructions from the seniors.”