Congress leader Paresh Dhanani is all set to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024 against BJP leader Parshottam Rupala from the Rajkot seat.
The Kshatriya-Rajput community has expressed strong opposition against BJP candidate Parshottam Rupala from the Rajkot seat for the elections. The community has threatened to vote against the BJP if Rupala is not replaced.
Rupala, a prominent Patidar leader, has been at the centre of a controversy involving the Kshatriya community, leading to a demand for Dhanani, also a Patidar, to contest against him. Despite the pressure, Dhanani assured his party workers and leaders that he would act responsibly and faithfully when required by the Congress.
Meanwhile, posters have appeared in Gujarat’s villages declaring BJP unwelcome due to a controversial statement made by Rupala at a Valmiki Samaj event, which has upset Kshatriyas across Gujarat. Despite Rupala’s three apologies over the past week, the Kshatriya community remains firm in its demand to not see Rupala. Amidst the controversy, Rupala has begun campaigning and has been sent to South India to prevent the controversy from escalating.
Despite the opposition, the BJP remains steadfast in its decision to field Rupala from Rajkot. In response, the Congress party, which had not yet announced a candidate due to the lack of a strong contender for the seat, is now preparing to field former Amreli MLA, Paresh Dhanani.
Dhanani, who had initially refused to contest the election, has shown his readiness to enter the fray if the party high command so directs. This decision came after Congress workers and leaders, including former MLA Lalit Kagathara, visited Amreli to persuade Dhanani.
Dhanani said the current issue would be resolved if Rupala voluntarily stepped down, respecting the sentiments of women and the country’s daughters. If Rupala’s candidacy is cancelled, Dhanani may not need not contest.
If Dhanani contests against Rupala, it will mark a face-off between the two political giants after 22 years. Dhanani, like Rupala, hails from Amreli. He defeated the senior Rupala in his first assembly election in 2002 at the age of 26. However, he lost in 2007, won the Assembly in 2012 and 2017, but lost again in 2022 to BJP’s Kaushik Vekaria due to the AAP candidate securing 25,000 votes.
The Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, a BJP stronghold for 30 consecutive years, has been a significant political platform in Saurashtra. It has given Gujarat two chief ministers and one to Saurashtra. The seat, dominated by Patidars, has seen leaders like Keshubhai Patel from the Janata Party become an MP in 1977.
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