Gujarat Confidential: Fake Account

Vadodara BJP Lok Sabha candidate Hemang Joshi Friday took to social media to ‘warn’ his followers about a fake Instagram account that has been allegedly created in his name and campaign messages of the BJP posted from the account to make it appear genuine. Taking to social media platforms, Joshi shared a screenshot of the ‘fake account’ stating, “A fake account has been created in my name on Instagram. If you receive any message from this account, please do not respond and interact. I urge everyone to report this account as much as possible in order to have it removed”. Speaking to media persons, Joshi said, “It was brought to my notice by some party workers during a campaign in the city. We have reported the account and we believe that the social media platforms are pretty quick in taking actions. Meanwhile, if anyone reports a criminal activity from the account, we will also seek help from the cyber crime cell if necessary”.

Bypoll Dilemma

The Congress seems to be facing a dilemma over choosing a candidate for the upcoming Waghodia Assembly bypoll, which will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections. While the BJP has fielded Dharmendrasinh Vaghela, who had resigned as an independent MLA to join the saffron party, the Congress has been dilly dallying over fielding former BJP leader and six-term MLA Madhu Shrivastav, who has so far held two meetings with Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President Shaktisinh Gohil seeking a ticket from the party to take on his arch-rival. Vaghela had defeated Shrivastav in the 2022 Assembly polls. Party insiders say that the Congress is keen on fielding a Kshatriya candidate from the seat to take on Vaghela but is unable to find a face that can give the BJP candidate a tough fight. Interestingly, as many as six candidates picked nomination forms for the Waghodia Assembly constituency on Friday. April 19 is the last date of filing nominations.