Vision versus division: New blood finds no place in scheme of Grand Old Party Congress

While Rahul Gandhi’s vision looks at rejuvenating the Congress based on ‘Gujarat Model’ of its performance in recent State Assembly polls, the AICC list of delegates from Gujarat tells a different story. Even as the Gr a n d Ol d Party readies to hold the plenary session of All India Congress Committee in Delhi from today, Mirror finds that out of 68 Gujarat delegates, 21 have never got a party ticket while 15 have not won an election in last 10 years.

Mirror found that even among the 22 co-opted members, 13 have never got the ticket for an election while two lost in the recently-held Assembly election. To sum it up, out of 90 AICC members from Gujarat about 55 have never got the party ticket, won an election in last ten years or live a retired life.

Read Also:
INNOCENCE RAVAGED: Gujarat registers 3,523 cases of crime against minors in just one year

A look at the list
Many of the AICC delegates from Gujarat, including “leaders” like Naresh Rawal, Sagar Rayka, Dhiru Gajera, Vijay Dave, Chandrika Chudasma, Karsandas Soneri, Nishit Vyas, Maulin Vaishnav, Gaurav Pandya, Gunvant Makwana, Himanshu Vyas, Rajendrasinh Patel and Alka Kshatriya are only known by name by Congress workers. Naresh Rawal was appointed as chairman of Election Co-ordination Committee for urban areas of Gujarat during the recent Assembly polls, but the party failed to garner major seats in the four main cities.

Failure to make inroads in urban pockets robbed the party of coming to power after more than two decades. Karsandas Soneri, a Dalit and former Speaker, was made one of the working presidents but he has no sway over Dalit votes. Himanshu Vyas, who was appointed convenor of the Election Media Committee last year, has twice lost Assembly election from Wadwan constituency.

Vice-president Maulin Vaishnav has hardly any electoral experience. Vinay Dave, who lost election from Ellis Bridge constituency, is said to have found favour for his proximity to Bharatsinh Solanki. Several names like Kuldeep Sharma, Lalji Desai, Manish Doshi, Rohan Gupta, Maulin Vaishnav, Nishit Vyas, Alka Kshatriya, Vijay Dave and Sonal Patel have little or no electoral experience.

Promising names lose out
Upcoming leaders like Indranil Rajyaguru, who fought against CM Vijay Rupani from Rajkot West, Narendra Ravat, who was fielded against BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi from Vadodara, MLA C J Chavda, Hemang Vasavada, MLA Dr Anil Joshiyara, MLA Suresh Patel, Naishad Desai and Sunil Jikar have not been included in the list.

GPCC president defends list
When asked to comment on inclusion of inactive or less experienced leaders in the AICC list, Gujarat Congress President Bharatsinh Solanki said: “All the delegates have been named on the basis of merit in terms of their dedication to the party, hard work and discipline. It is quite possible that many of them may not have electoral experience but are working for the interest of the party in different ways.”

Insiders raise concern
A veteran Congress leader, who has been serving the party for more than 20 years in Gujarat, on condition of anonymity, said: “Looking at the list, it’s obvious that senior party leaders have favoured their cronies. The ‘quota system’ under which tickets are granted or crucial appointments made as per whims of senior leaders is still prevalent. It seems people want Congress but our leaders don’t want Congress to come to power. There’s a saying in our party for senior Congress leaders — Maro e Saaro, pan Saaro e Maro Nahi (my candidate is better but a better candidate is never mine).”

New lot lacks chance
The new and hardworking lot is not getting chance. Naran Rathwa, who will be elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha lost Chhota Udepur Assembly seat in recent election by 2 lakh votes while his son and wife have not even managed to win local self-government elections. For that matter, even the other RS candidate of the party, Ami Yagnik, is a newcomer. If the quota system is removed then Congress can perform better in 2019 General Elections.” Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi commented: “As per party constitution, 20% of the Pradesh Congress Committee members get nominated to the AICC. “In Gujarat, the PCC has 347 members out of which 68 names have been chosen. They are selected after consultation with the GPCC president, CLP leader and other senior leaders.”