Ahmedabad: A group of city Congress workers today ransacked the office of State party president Amit Chavda at state party headquarters. Same group also defaced the posters of Jawaharlal Nehru, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and removed the name plate of State party president from wall.

A group of around 50 Congress workers rushed to party headquarters in Paldi area of city today afternoon when Amit Chavda was addressing the media. Party spokesperson Himanshu Patel had to cordon-off Chavda to protect him from protesting group which was demanding Nirav Bakshi’s appointment as head of the city Congress. Bakshi, a former Youth Congress city unit head is son of Surendra Bakshi who was city unit head of Congress party in the past. Bakshi announced his decision to resign from the party last evening after his name was not announced for the post of city unit president of party. His supporters choose to hold protest at state party headquarters today.

Party president Rahul Gandhi yesterday appointed several district and city unit presidents in Gujarat unit. Soon after the announcement of the list, Rajkot city unit president Indranil Rajyaguru left the party. Rahul Gandhi had in list announced Shashikant Patel alias Bhuriyo as president of Ahmedabad city Congress. Bakshi’s supporter today said Bhuriyo was land mafia and he had lost the elections multiple time. His appointment was not as per merit. It should be mentioned that Shashikant had lost the election last year on Ghatlodia seat of Ahmedabad city which is stronghold of BJP. Shashikant had on earlier occasion contested assembly election against Amit Shah.

Recently a former member of parliament from Mahesana and Congress leader Jivabhai Patel who contested against deputy chief minister Nitin Patel last year announced his resignation from party. MLA Vikram Madam, senior leader Javed Pirzada have expressed dissent openly. Former MP and Koli leader Kunvarji Bavalia is sulking and likely to leave the party. He has publicly said that senior leaders are sidelined in party. Rajkot city Congress chief Indranila Rajyaguru who contested assembly election last year against Chief Minister Rupani yesterday left Congress and told media persons that he was unhappy with functioning of state unit of party. It is learnt that state party incharge Rajiv Satav is likely to visit Ahmedabad and camp here to address the situation.

Update: In a decision taken in the evening, the State Congress has suspended Nirav Bakshi and over a dozen other party workers for indiscipline.

DeshGujarat