Facing ‘threat’ from BJP, Congress candidate seeks police security

He added, “But I refused the instruction because I have to ensure the victory of all my 36 candidates in Kadi as president of city Congress unit.”

Currently, the BJP is in power in Kadi nagarpalika with 30 members out of 36.

Khamar said, “Recently, on November 25, our campaign vehicle was attacked and ransacked in Karan Nagar area by rival party workers, but I have decided not to budge. It has now become difficult for me even to move out of my house.”

When contacted, Nitin Patel told The Sunday Express, “This was a routine call and we (in BJP) do tell many others to convince them against contesting…he is known to many others for long and I have asked him to work sincerely. He told me to ‘give us a chance’.”

Khamar contests this and says, “How can I seek a chance from the BJP when I am given the task of getting Congress a victory?”.

An enraged Mehsana district Congress president Kirtisinh Jhala said, “How can Khamar ask Nitin Patel for a chance? He is associated with the Congress for 30 years in the district.”

Khamars are not Patidars but belong to Vaishnav Bania community and they are in a very small number, say, about 400 in Kadi, but their influence works in surrounding areas.

Mehsana SP J R Mothalia, said, “Yes, we have received the application and forwarded to the police officer concerned. We will do whatever is necessary to do in this connection.”