Ahmedabad: Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor has started the opinion taking exercise of all the district units of his outfit Thakor Sena here about his next course of action.

Alpesh had neither openly denied nor accepted the speculations about his leaving the party. He had said that he would clarify tomorrow.

One of his supporters said that all of them were of the opinion that whatever decision Alpesh takes they would follow, be it even joining the BJP.

Even as Congress is trying to play-down the speculations about some of its MLAs possible joining of ruling BJP in Gujarat soon, the party is not at ease with the episode.

Highly placed sources in the party accepted that some of the party MLAs might actually leave the party. The sources said that party MLA Alpesh Thakor and Dhawal Zala and some other MLAs might switch to the saffron party.

They said that party was trying all out to stop it. ‘The party high-command has also been briefed about it. Alpesh can be summoned to Delhi tonight,’ they added.

The possibility of some of the MLA’s leaving the party was also practically not ruled out by Ahmed Patel. The party treasurer told newsmen in Vadodara that he was in touch with all the party MLAs and they were ideologically with the party.

He however added that if someone went to BJP he would have to repent. They should first know the opinion of those who have joined BJP.

Quotes of various leaders

On a day when speculations about 3 to 5 Congress MLAs including Alpesh Thakor’s likely joining of ruling BJP were doing the round lets have a look at what various prominent leaders and some of these MLAs said.

CM Vijay Rupani (in Banaskantha)- We are not going expand the cabinet and why should we do it. Congress is so faction ridden and indulged in in-fight. Plight of many of the party leaders was miserable. It should be asked from them as to whether they were leaving the party or not.

Congress Treasurer Ahmed Patel (In Vadodara)- It is all rumour spread by the BJP. No MLA from Congress is going to join BJP. And the one who join BJP in any-case will have to repent for it.

BJP Gujarat president Jeetu Vaghani (Gandhinagar)- I am not in touch with any of the Congress leaders. However looking at the current scenario and the popularity of PM Narendrabhai Modi many of the Congress leaders might be tempted to join our party. The doors of our party are and will remain open to anyone who joins the party after accepting our ideology.

DyCM Nitin Patel (in Mahesana)- Many of the Congress leaders would join BJP in the coming time. They were not happy in their party and want to join the ruling party to push the wagon of development further.

Minister Bhupendra Chudasama (Gandhinagar)- We welcome all who accept our ideology and join the BJP.

Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor (in Ahmedabad) – There was no truth in rumours. I will speak in detail tomorrow.

Congress MLA Lalit Vasoya (Dhoraji)- Even there were rumours about my joining the BJP. It is all being spread by BJP itself. I would rather commit suicide that joining the saffron party.

Congress MLA Chandanji Thakor (Siddhpur)- I am a warrior of Congress and would be with my party always. None of the party MLAs were going to leave the party.

Congress MLA Dhawal Zala – It is all rumour, I am not going anywhere and am not going to leave Congress.