Gandhinagar: Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel today filed nomination for Rajya Sabha seat at Gandhinagar in Gujarat in presence of NCP and JDU MLAs, and many MLAs and leaders from Congress also. In reply to various questions asked by media persons,Ahmed Patel said:

– I thank Rahulji and Soniaji for selecting me for this nomination. I have full trust that I will win as Congress candidate through support and cooperation of MLAs.

– So far as cross voting is concerned, it has happened lot of times in the past too. But I have full faith that it will not happen this time. It is because even after cross voting by 11 opposition MLAs in Presidential election, amid heavy rain yesterday 51 MLAs were present in party meeting. I have full faith that those who couldn’t reach there due to rain will also vote for Congress in order to elect party’s candidate.

– I can’t say whether BJP will field third candidate or not. That question can be answered only by BJP.

– Actions against those who did cross voting in presidential election can be taken only after they are identified. Once they are identified, surely whatever steps necessary will be taken against them.

– We have said it in the past too, so far as Shankersinh’s issue is concerned, we have always heard him. He is upset with the party. I don’t know what he is going to say in a press conference at 2.00 pm today but I would say it again that I met Shankersinh Bapu yesterday and had talk with him. His response was that he would surely give his vote this time in favor of Congress candidate.

– Representations are made in each state, but finally the central leadership takes decision considering all dimensions.

– I am party’s soldier, I am contesting this election on party’s order, irrespective of there’s risk or not. I haven’t think about contesting from other state in the past and will not think about it in future too. I will contest from my state only.

– I spoke to Shankersinh Vaghela yesterday. We had a nice talk. I don’t know whether he has cards close to his chest. Let’s see. Shankersinh has told me he will vote for Congress. And there’s no reason not to believe in it.