Patan: A dispute over the appointment of the Scheduled Caste (SC) Morcha president in the Patan District Congress escalated on Monday after Jaya Ben Shah was named to the post, replacing former president Hasmukh Saxena. Aggrieved workers and leaders locked the district Congress office and staged a protest demanding Saxena’s reinstatement, while slogans were raised against MLA Jignesh Mevani and party leader Hitendra Pithadiya.

Former president Hasmukh Saxena alleged that Mevani and Pithadiya were trying to assert control over Patan and “capture SC leadership across Gujarat,” adding that such attempts would be strongly opposed. He claimed that due process in the selection exercise had been ignored and accused senior leaders of creating divisions within the Dalit community.

Patan MLA Kirit Patel backed the protesters, alleging that loyal party workers in the district were being sidelined and appointments were being made “at the behest of those who acted against the party.” He warned that growing resentment could trigger stronger protests ahead and said he would resign as Congress whip if workers’ grievances were not addressed.

According to party workers, Saxena had strengthened the party’s connect among voters during his tenure, and around 250 leaders, including current and former MLAs, had recommended his reappointment. They alleged that the recommendation was disregarded.

Following the protest, a meeting of SC leaders was held at the Patan Congress office, where anger intensified over the absence of the district president. The protesters locked the office and issued an ultimatum, stating that State Congress chief Amit Chavda had called a meeting on the 7th to discuss the issue. They warned that if Saxena is not reinstated and “justice is not done,” 1,000 to 2,000 party workers from Patan district will submit collective resignations at the state office. DeshGujarat