Mehsana, 20 March 2014

Selection of Jayshreeben Patel as candidate of Mehsana Lok Sabha seat has not gone well with local party men.

Unjha Umiya Mata Trust, a supreme religious body of Kadva Patel community which represents 8 lakh families has written letters to party leaders in Gujarat and in Delhi against selection of Jayshreeben as BJP candidate.

Jayshreeben is sitting MP of Mehsana seat. She is close to Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel.

According to Director of Unjha based Umiya Mata Trust Shri Vikram Patel, party has neglected several big Kadva Patel community leaders while making decision on ticket.

Vikram Patel said, “Anil Patel is former state minister, he belongs to Unjha Umiya Mata Trust, he heads Apolo industry and Ganpat University. He could be made candidate. Also Shri NL Patel who is veteran Kadva Patel leader, BJP MLA and Chairman of Unjha market yard could be selected as candidate. There were many other prominent people too who could be fielded by party. We just can’t understand why Jayshreeben has been repeated.”

Vikram Patel said, Jayshreeben has been chosen only because of Anandiben Patel’s wish. Anandiben is taking autocratic decisions, and there’s no one in party who can speak against her. We support BJP, but not Anandiben’s autocracy.”

Vikram Patel said he is receiving phone calls from many people wishing to defeat Jayshreeben this time. He said when Modi is going to become PM, he sould have good team of MPs.

It should be mentioned that Jayshreeben is believed weak candidate in Mehsana belt. She can win only due to Modi wave and pro-BJP mindset of voters. Party has assigned responsibility of Mehsana seat to number 2 minister in cabinet Shri Nitin Patel.

Local Kadva Patidars and others have conveyed their displeasure against Jayshree Patel to Nitin Patel too. But according to Vikram Patel, no-one is ready to dare to challenge Anandiben’s wish.

Vikrambhai said, community leaders have completed two meetings – one in Mehsana and other in Unjha to discuss displeasure over Jayshreeben’s selection. He reiterated that the community is with BJP, but not with this particular decision.

On Mehsana seat, Congress has fielded Surat based rich man Jivabhai Patel who has won this seat earlier. Jivabhai is working hard to regain this seat for last many months. He is traveling across the villages for last few weeks in campaign mode. Jivabhai has donated money to charity in various villages. He is asking people to vote for him against BJP’s “weak candidate”.