New Delhi/Ahmedabad: The latent Amit Shah-Anandiben Patel tussle in the BJP is getting reflected in the saffron outfit's ticket distribution row and party insiders say these can in the ultimate analysis harm party's prospects in the electoral battle in poll-bound Gujarat.
So far, the balance of power seems to be in favour of BJP national president Amit Shah for obvious reasons as Anandiben Patel's confidants and trusted aides have been already denied tickets.
Former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel's cousin and minister Vasuben Trivedi and a former minister I K Jadeja are among those dropped by the BJP leadership. Mr Jadeja's sidelining came as a major surprise as around 2002 to 2007 - Mr Jadeja was also known for his close affinity to the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.He also had performed as state cabinet spokesman for sometime. But this time round, his plea for ticket from Wadhan was denied and instead, the saffron party fielded Dhanjibhai Patel (Makson), a businessman and
a greenhorn in politics.
Mr Jadeja has been a two-time MLA from Dhrangadhra in 2002 and prior to that. Similarly, the 67-year-old former Education, Women and Child Welfare Minister Vasuben Trivedi has been also denied ticket.Interestingly, weighing various options, state Ministers Vallabh Vagahsia, Nanu Vanani and Jayanti Kavadiya representing Savarkundla, Katargam and Dhangadhra have been dropped after influential Patidar community’s agitation hit these localities more.The BJP Central Election Committee also dropped as many as 15 sitting legislators and did not consider them for tickets. According to party sources, Shah-Anandiben Patel rivalry goes back to pre-2012 politics when Mr Modi himself was at the helm of affairs in Gujarat. But once Anandiben Patel had to bow out of office following Patidar stir, it was hoped that things would normalise.
"But, the cold war continues and it is reflected in ticket distribution...Now these should not go down at the booth level rivalry," a source said.BJP insiders also say that though announced her unwillingness to contest, Anandiben Patel sent a "long list of at least 40 names" to Prime Minister Modi for consideration of tickets. The list was agreed up on more of less but there were irritants for at least half-a-dozen seats.
A section of BJP also toyed with the idea of getting a ticket for Anandiben's daughter Anar -- which however was denied by Anandiben Patel herself.Amit Shah camp made it clear that the party should not take chance by fielding Ms Anar as BJP is making 'dynasty' a politicalissue with regard Rahul Gandhi and also that Ms Anar's name had figured in some land-related controversies.What is worrisome for party is that a series of 'protest' meetings and slogan shouting - if not open defiance - has been going on in various parts of the state after ticket distribution.
Disgruntled I K Jadeja's supporters stormed the party headquarters in Gandhinagar on Saturday. One senior leader has threatened to quit if his son is not given ticket.
The party has so far named candidates for 134 nominees for the 182-member state assembly for the party polls on December 9 and December 14.Intense lobbying for tickets have started for Vejalpur constituency in Ahmedabad where among others former minister Jaynarayan Vyas, former mayor Minakshi Patel, Amit Shah's confidant Hitesh Barot and sitting MLA Kishor Chauhan are vying for the ticket. The constituency has large chunk of Muslim voters in Juhapura and also covers popular localities like Satellite, Vas-trapur, Bodakdev, Prahladnagar and Vejalpur areas. (UNI)