Her MLA tells Sonia not to fight elections, cites origin

In an embarrassment to the already faction-ridden Gujarat Congress, a sitting woman MLA of the party in Kutch district has urged party president Sonia Gandhi not to contest the Lok Sabha polls and project herself as a prime ministerial candidate as her ‘‘foreign origin’’ issue has already embedded deeply on people’s mind.

‘‘I believe that the foreign issue that has been raked up by BJP and other parties has been deeply embedded in minds of the people. Even Congress leaders are aware about this,’’ Dr Nimaben Acharya said. ‘‘I also believe Sonia must not contest the Lok Sabha elections and project herself as a prime ministerial candidate,’’ Acharya said, adding she has written a letter to Sonia conveying her views.

Asked about the letter, AICC spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said he had not gone through it but if need be it can be referred to the disciplinary committee.

‘‘Sonia has been working day and night for the party and I was sure she would not contest the polls. But she did and her projection of PM candidate is coming in way of forging alliances,’’ Acharya said.