Even as ten former Congress MLAs from Gujarat are expected to join the ruling BJP in the coming days, veteran politician Shankersinh Vaghela, who had recently quit the grand-old party, has kept the suspense alive on his next move.
Several of these legislators had cross voted in favour of BJP's candidates in the recently held Rajya Sabha elections. Three former Congress MLAs, including Balwantsinh Rajput, have already joined the BJP and Rajput was put up by the saffron party as one of its RS nominees. He, however, lost the election, but has challenged Congress' Ahmed Patel's victory in the Gujarat High Court.
According to BJP sources, the MLAs will join their party in next couple days in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani at different functions. The list of those joining also includes Mahendrasinh Vaghela, Shankersinh's son.
Mahendrasinh had met BJP national president Amit Shah during latter's recent visit to Gujarat.
Though Shankersinh has ruled out floating a third front and categorically said that he was not going to join the BJP, his moves would be crucial, for anything he does would divide the secular vote, which in turn benefit the BJP.
Shankersinh had rebelled against the BJP in 1990s. He then formed his own party and then merged it with the Congress.
On his 77th birthday on July 21, Vaghela parted ways with the Congress. He had been unhappy over the functioning of the Congress. Several of his demands, including giving him a free hand ahead of assembly elections and changing Congress state president Bharatsinh Solanki.
Two days ago, speaking to media persons, Shankersinh ruled out forming the third front or floating any new outfit. More than 200 of his supporters had gathered at his residence – Vasant Vagdo – near Gandhinagar. They urged him to become active in politics to ease the pains of people of Gujarat. They also passed a resolution, which mentioned about people suffering due to price rise, high electricity charges and costly education.
The veteran politician told them to remain by the side of the truth.
In the 182 member assembly, the BJP has set a target of winning 150 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah are likely to be the star campaigners for the party.
