Ahmed Patel’s son, Cong ticket aspirant, says Bharuch seat-sharing decision on hold

As it became clear that “talks were in progress” and no final decision had been made on the seat-sharing, Faisal wrote on X, “Thanking Rahul Gandhiji, you listened to me and the Bharuch Congress workers. By supporting us, I and my fellow Bharuch Congress workers have been honoured. I promise you that I will live up to your faith by winning the Bharuch Lok Sabha seat.”

When contacted, Faisal said, “I have spoken to the high command, sharing details of Bharuch Lok Sabha seat and putting forth that the credible chance of winnability is more for the Congress than AAP. I have learnt through my sources that the party high command has put on hold the seat-sharing decision of Bharuch and Bhavnagar constituencies…” “Considering my request after I shared a letter with a clear picture on Bharuch seat, Rahul Gandhiji has put the decision on hold…,” he added.

A senior Congress leader told The Indian Express that the seat-sharing arrangement was unlikely to be formalised till February 26, when Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal is expected to respond to the seventh summon issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi excise policy case.
Besides Faisal, his sister Mumtaaz Siddiqui is also aspiring for a Congress ticket from Bharuch. Vasava, meanwhile, has launched Swabhiman Yatra – a 21-day poll campaign in Bharuch district – from Jhagadia on Thursday.

Faisal said, “Chaitar Vasava’s hold is limited to his Assembly seat (Dediapada in Narmada), while there are other six Assembly seats where he does not have much influence… I have been working in Bharuch since long and this seat was held by my father. It is also our hometown.”

In his letter to Gandhi, Faisal wrote: “The Bharuch Lok Sabha seat has immense sentimental value for our family and Congress. It was last secured by my late father Ahmed Patel. The people of Bharuch recognise and cherish my father’s legacy and it is this sentiment that will propel us towards victory, restoring the honor and dignity of the party in Bharuch.”

The letter added that Bharuch constituency comprises 36 per cent Scheduled Tribe, 25 per cent minority and four per cent Scheduled Caste voters. “Among seven Assembly constituencies that make up the Bharuch Lok Sabha seat, AAP won in Dediapada (in Gujarat polls in 2022) but failed to secure deposits on the six other seats. The diversion of tribal vote would strengthen and jeopardise our chance of winning the seat…,” Faisal wrote.

“Surrendering Bharuch seat to AAP would mirror the situation witnessed in Delhi and Punjab where our party’s stature has significantly diminished. Request you to rethink on Bharuch Lok Sabha seat regarding alliance with AAP. Preserving our stronghold and safeguarding the interest of our party should be our utmost priority,” he added.

Ahmed Patel had won from Bharuch three consecutive terms, from 1977 to 1984. From 1989, BJP’s Chandu Deshmukh held the seat till 1998. Since then, BJP’s Mansukh Vasava has won the seat six times.

Senior Gujarat Congress leaders are “waiting and watching” the outcome of the ongoing talks between the two parties. A Congress leader, while maintaining that Faisal’s social media posts are his “personal opinion”, said the party is also keenly watching Kejriwal’s next step. “Congress has discussed the possible alliance with AAP but a formal announcement is awaited. It is likely that the final decision will be taken on February 27, as it is crucial to see what is Kejriwal’s reaction to the February 26 ED summon…,” the leader said.

On Thursday, Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil told The Indian Express that state leaders will “abide by” the AICC decision.

Maintaining that the state leadership has “received no formal intimation of the alliance”, Gohil said: “In any family, all members are asked to give their opinion on matters and the final decision is taken by the head of the family… We have also submitted our opinion to the party high command but the opinion we have shared is between the high command and us…”

“The final decision will be taken by the party high command. If it is as per our opinion, we will be happy but if not, we will be disciplined soldiers and follow the party decision,” he added.