Cong to field ex-MP’s widow for Banaskantha LS seat

For Dhoraji and Jetpur Assembly constituencies,the party has received names and a final decision is yet to be taken in the two cases.

Though the names of the candidates would be formally announced on May 13,the party has decided to field Krishnaben and Satish Ahir from Banaskantha and Porbander Lok Sabha seats,respectively,sources said.

Krishnaben is the widow of former Banaskantha MP Mukesh Gadhvi,who expired a few months ago and that necessitated the by-election.

Ahir is a former mayor of Junagadh and a real estate businessman. Four talukas – Maliya,Vansthali,Manavdar and Mangrol – of Junagadh district form parts of the Porbander seat,with sizeable Ahir population.

As for Morwa Hadaf tribal seat,sources said the party had resolved to field Becharbhai Khant,son of Savita Khant,who won the seat in December 2012 polls but died before the results were declared. Party feels that Becharbhai can retain the seat for the party due to sympathy for her deceased mother.

For Limbdi seat,sources said there was consensus in the party over Pramod Patel,son of Somabhai Patel,Congress MP from Surendranagar. Limbdi seat was won by Somabhai in the last Assembly elections but he resigned from it to keep his Lok Sabha seat under party directives.

The names of candidates for Dhoraji and Jetpur Assembly seats was not decided yet as there were several claimants for nominations for the two seats,sources said.