A Congress MLA Lalsinh Vadodia, representing Umreth assembly segment in central Gujarat, has switched over to the saffron party after the Congress gave away his seat to the NCP as part of their seat-sharing pact. Vadodia is a powerful leader in Anand district. He had joined the Congress on the eve of 2007 assembly polls.

NCP president of Gujarat, Jayant Patel, whose seat Sarsa has been merged with Umreth, will contest from Umreth.

Vadodia is the third MLA to switch over from one party to another. Previously, BJP MLA Bhavsinh Rathod, a very influential leader of Thakor community in Patan district joined the Congress and NCP MLA Tusharsinh Maharaul joined the BJP and will contest from Devgadh Baria in Dahod district.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders will meet in Delhi on Wednesday to finalise the candidates for the 94 assembly segments that go to polls on December 17. The last day for filing of nomination for the second phase is November 30.