Ahmedabad: Amid speculations in print and Gujarati news channels going on for last several weeks that some Congress MLAs including the leader of opposition Shankersinh Vaghela were in touch with BJP leaders or corporates for switching over to BJP, the State Congress on Tuesday at its headquarters in Ahmedabad paraded 13 of its 57 MLAs before the media where they rejected the allegations and speculations involving them.

Most MLAs alleged that media carried stories about them without taking their version. They said they are united and not going to join BJP. They said it was conspiracy of the BJP to tarnish the image of Congress and media was behaving in ‘non-professional’ way.

Those present in the press conference were Siddhpur MLA Balwantsinh Rajput, Dariapur MLA Gyasuddin Sheikh, Bhiloda MLA Dr. Anil Joshiara, Kalol MLA Baldevji Thakor, Khedbrahma MLA Ashwin Kotwal, Mansa MLA Amit Chaudhary, Dahegam MLA Kaminiba Rathod, Palanpur MLA Mahesh Patel, Dhanera MLA Joitabhai Patel, Prantij MLA Mahendrasinh Baraiya, Vyara MLA Punabhai Gamit.

However some of the MLAs whose names are very much in discussion for possible induction to BJP like Godhra MLA CK Raolji, Jamnagar Rural MLA Raghavji Patel, Jamnagar North MLA Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Jam Khambhalia MLA Meraman Goria, Balashinor MLA Manshinh Chauhan and Bayad MLA Mahendrasinh Vaghela were absent from this press conference.

Meanwhile former Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia today rejected any possibility of Shankersinh Vaghela joining BJP.

In another development a Gujarati news channel today was running a story that Shankersinh’s son Mahendrasinh Vaghela could join BJP and become Rajya Sabha member. The news channel said there was a deal between BJP and Shankersinh. However Mahendrasinh rejected the story and said he would continue to be a part of Congress.

DeshGujarat