Surat, 19 March 2014

Congress party is just not able to find candidates for at least two Lok Sabha seats that are Surat and Navsari in south Gujarat.

The party asked Dhiru Gajera and Suresh Patel to contest from Surat, but both of them denied. Dhansukh Rajput who has lost two elections in past has not sought ticket this time to contest from Navsari.

Congress candidates are not able to win Surat since 1989. In 2009 the seat was divided in two and Surat and Navsari two seat emerged from one. BJP won both seats with huge margin.

In 2012, Congress lost all assembly seats under Surat and Navsari Lok Sabha constituencies.

The state Congress has sent a panal of three names – Manu Jharakhia(state party secretary), Dinesh Kachhadia and Shambhu Prajapati. Of them Manubhai and Dineshbhai have reportedly said no. A 75-year-old Shambhubhai is the only person ready to contest. Party was also in talk with a builder KK Kamrej. Party is also pressurizing city unit president Naishadh Desai to contest.

On Navsari seat, party has made panel of former MLA Mahendra Patel, Bhavna Patel and leader of opposition in SMC Babu Rayka. Mahendra Patel contested last election in 1989, Bhavnaben belongs to Koli Patel community.