Shankersinh Vaghela effect? Setback for Congress in Gujarat, three MLAs join BJP before Rajya Sabha polls

The resignations of these MLAs also follows the cross voting by at least 11 Congress MLAs in the recently held presidential elections. The party has not identified any of the MLAs who cross voted.

The resignation of the three MLAs has reduced the Congress’s tally to 54 in the 182-seat assembly.The main opposition party also has the support of two NCP legislators and one JD(U) MLA. The development came at a time when the Congress has fielded its senior leader Ahmed Patel as its candidate for the Upper House in the election scheduled for August 8.

Heartiest congratulations to Shri Balvantsinh Rajput on being nominated as BJP candidate for Rajya Sabha election from Gujarat.

— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 27, 2017

Of the total 11 Rajya Sabha members from the state, the term of three of them — Smriti Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel — is ending on August 18. Union minister Irani has been re-nominated, while BJP chief Amit Shah will be the other party candidate from Gujarat. Shah is at present an MLA from Gujarat. Balwantsinh Rajput will be BJP’s third candidate contesting for Rajya Sabha. He will file nomination tomorrow.

In a letter addressed to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rajput who is an MLA from Sidhpur stated: “For the last few years, the Congress party has been trying to harm my reputation through my colleagues intentionally. Some party people have tried to hurt my reputation in the party due to my family relationships with Shankersinhji Vaghela.”