The Godhra Municipality Council (GMC) by-elections,to be held on June 21,will have its former president and rebel Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader,Gangaram Harwani,and seven other rebels contesting as Independents. Meanwhile,for the first time,the Congress would be fielding candidates for the elections. On the other hand,president of the GMC and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader,Murli Moolchandani,who is riding high on BJPs victory in recently held Lok Sabha elections in the Panchmahals district,is confident winning the elections. Earlier,we were working closely with the BJP. However,the party workers at the local level do not want development of the town and instead they want to pursue sectarian agenda. We are confident of winning 9,000 votes from the city,which went against BJP in the Lok Sabha elections,a few weeks ago. This clearly points that Godhra is no longer a BJP bastion, added Harwani. However,the former president of GMC brushed off the allegations made by BJP about his role in doctoring the official records to gain majority,which led to his disqualification,BJP sources said. BJP was not happy with me because I joined hands with the Muslim leaders for the development of the town, added Harwani. Meanwhile,Congress leader and Godhra Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA),C K Raulji said: Congress would be fielding its contestants for all the wards in the city. Our candidates would be educated and dynamic persons who are not biased and keen on working only for development of this town. Although,he did not comment on Congress fielding its candidate against Harwani and others from the rebel BJP camp,he also didnt hint at seat sharing issue. On the other hand,president of GMC Moolchandani is all gung-ho about the upcoming elections and is using the saffron card to garner support. Narmada water has been brought to the town,underground sewerage has been repaired,roads and electrification of the streets have been completed. We have done our job, said Moolchandani.
