Sign in

Not joining BJP but Congress should do homework ahead of Gujarat polls, says Vaghela

The former CM, who had formed Rashtriya Janta Party in 1997 leading coup against first BJP government in the state, also ruled out another coup.

Updated on: Jun 20, 2017, 23:45:34 IST
Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | By
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

Maintaining that he is not “unhappy” and Congress should do homework for forthcoming assembly elections, stalwart Shankersinh Vaghela in an apparent warning said on Tuesday that he would do what supporters would say after a meeting with them on June 24.

Congress stalwart Shankersinh Vaghela, in an apparent warning, said on Tuesday that he would do what supporters would say after a meeting with them on June 24. (HT File Photo)
Congress stalwart Shankersinh Vaghela, in an apparent warning, said on Tuesday that he would do what supporters would say after a meeting with them on June 24. (HT File Photo)

Denying rumours that he is going back to the BJP fold, he also ruled out forming a party. “I am not going back to the BJP. And decide whatever my supporters would say in the meeting,” he told mediapersons at his office of Congress legislative party leader in Gandhinagar. Meeting will be held after he will offer prayers at Ahmedabad Jagannath temple on eve of annual rath yatra. He ruled presence of any of the current 57 Congress MLAs in the forthcoming meet.

The former CM, who had formed Rashtriya Janta Party in 1997 leading coup against first BJP government in the state, also ruled out another coup.

“Coup is out of question. In 1997, we were the ruling party and now, in the Opposition.”

He made clear the issues on which he demands clarity from high command. “I told Soniaji (Gandhi), Ahmed Patel and Rahulji clearly that this time there are bright chances for Congress( in assembly elections). So we must do homework and prepare all 182 candidates well in advance.” The BJP, which is in power for 22 years now, will be seeking another term amidts anti-incumbency and in the backdrop of the Patidar agitation.

Gujarat will see polls by end of the year.

  • Hiral Dave
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Hiral Dave

    Hiral Dave is Senior Assistant Editor based out of Ahmedabad and covers developments in Gujarat. She has sixteen years of working in the field of journalism.

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.