Gandhinagar: Even after the last date of withdrawal of nomination forms for second phase, BJP rebels are still in fray at some places. Sanand seat in Ahmedabad district is one of such seats.

BJP has fielded Kanu Makwana, son of outgoing MLA Karamsi Makwana as its candidate on Sanand seat. Karamsi was elected as Congress MLA in 2012 by 3,916 margin against then BJP candidate Kamabhai Rathod. Karamsi voted against Congress candidate Ahmed Patel in Rajya Sabha election early this year and joined BJP. His son Kanu has been given BJP ticket on Sanand seat this time. Makwanas belong to Koli community. This is the community which largely prefer to cast vote only in favor of Koli community candidate.

Former BJP MLA Kamabhai Rathod wanted to contest Sanand seat on BJP ticket. He is from Nadoda Rajput community. Generally BJP selects one candidate from this community in Ahmedabad rural areas. Kamabhai had lost last assembly election against Karamsi Makwana by margin of 3,916 votes. As party denied him ticket this time, Kamabhai filed nomination as independent and issued a threat that party would suffer not only in Sanand, but also in Viramgam, Wadhvan and Dasada area where Nadoda Rajputs are voters.

Kamabhai had won Gujarat assembly election in 2007 on Viramgam seat of Ahmedabad district with margin of 3316 votes against Koli community candidate of Congress Somabhai Patel. Viramgam seat which is neighboring seat of Sanand is contested by outgoing MLA Tejshriben Patel from BJP. Tejshriben was elected in 2012 on Congress ticket. Just before Rajya Sabha election early this year, she resigned from Congress and joined BJP. She is considered winning candidate and therefore there’s no rebel against her.

Sanand seat has total 23 candidates this time.

DeshGujarat