Ahmedabad: Admitting that he was willing to become ‘minister’, Congress national secretary and party MLA Apesh Thakor today said that he has taken a decision to not to leave Congress and struggle for his supporters.

Addressing a press conference here Alpesh said that he was annoyed at the party and its leadership as he and his supporters were not getting due respect but now with the assurance of the party in this regard his annoyance was over.

He also said that he did not want to contest Lok Sabha poll as he wanted to do politics in Gujarat and not the national level politics. He has also asked the party high-command to relieve him from the responsibility of national secretary of the party. His wife would also never enter politics and continue to support his family.

Alpesh said that for the past several days reports of his annoyance were coming and he was not denying that.

‘I was also willing to become a minister so that I could do something more for my people. Power is liked by every one. I also feel like that and had I wished I would have become a minister six months back,’ he said.

‘I had myself wished to become a minister and even talked (to BJP) in this regard. But then I thought that I had joined Congress after consulting my people and they don’t want me to become part of the ruling party to serve them. Now I have decided to continue with Congress and continue my struggle. If my supporter command I would even work for my organization Thakor Sena alone,’ he said.

He however said that he did not think that those of the Congress MLAs who have left the party yesterday and those who were going to take oath of minister had done so due to any horse-trading. ‘I think that they want to do something more for their people,’ he said. He sent them good wishes to them.

To a query he said that Dhrangadhra MLA Parshottam Sabariya had talked to him yesterday. ‘There might be some pressure on him for leaving Congress,’ he said.

Alpesh said,’ Till yesterday I was confused and Me and my friend MLA Dhaval Zala (who was also present with him during the press conference) spent whole night together and awoke. But now I am not confused. May be some of my young supporters won’t like my decision and they take some other decision. I would also like if they get some schools or things like that for our people from the government. I wanted to be the minister and serve my people better but did not want to be termed as a ‘sold-out’ man. I can live without power but can’t live without honour.’

To a query he said that he would support Hardik Patel if he joins Congress and contest Lok Sabha poll.

DeshGujarat