Won’t join BJP, not keen on contesting Lok Sabha polls: Alpesh
TNN | Mar 10, 2019, 05:51 IST
Congress MLA Alpesh Thakore AHMEDABAD: Congress MLA Alpesh Thakore on Saturday put to rest speculation about him his joining the BJP, saying he will continue to fight for the rights of his Thakore community by staying with the Congress. He also indicated that he would not contest the coming Lok Sabha elections.
“I am very clear that I have to fight for my people. So I will stay with Congress and will continue to support the party. I want respect and rights for my people,” Thakore said at a press conference held here.
Thakore did not deny that he had initiated talks with the BJP. “Everyone wants to hold the position of a minister. At one point, I did aspire to becoming a minister to be able to serve my community better, but I have now decided to take the path of struggle,” Thakore said.
About his talks with the BJP and whether he had bargained hard for a ministerial berth, Thakore said, “I have neither sold out nor am I greedy. Had I been greedy, I would have joined the BJP six months ago,” said Thakore.
Thakore conceded he was unhappy with the functioning of some Congress leaders, but said the matter has been sorted out. “I have received an assurance from the leadership that action will be taken against those who have harmed the interests of my supporters,” he said.
Thakore denied having lobbied with the Congress leadership for a Lok Sabha ticket for his wife. “I do not need a ticket for my wife. Neither my wife nor any member of my family will ever join politics. I had no such discussion with Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday. I just expressed my concern that I was being ignored by the Congress state leadership.”
BJP leaders said he lost favour with their leadership in his attempt to drive a hard bargain. A top BJP leader involved in talks with Thakore over the last few days said, “Alpesh was promised a cabinet berth but his demands kept increasing. He sought government positions for two close aides and also a decisive say in choosing candidates for two seats in North Gujarat. This was unacceptable,” the BJP leader said.
A senior Congress leader said Thakor’s wayward actions over the last week have caused much embarrassment to the party. “The party leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and Ahmed Patel, is very upset at Alpesh’s behavior which has damaged the party. Disciplinary action will be taken against him after the Lok Sabha election,” the leader said.
“I am very clear that I have to fight for my people. So I will stay with Congress and will continue to support the party. I want respect and rights for my people,” Thakore said at a press conference held here.
Thakore did not deny that he had initiated talks with the BJP. “Everyone wants to hold the position of a minister. At one point, I did aspire to becoming a minister to be able to serve my community better, but I have now decided to take the path of struggle,” Thakore said.
About his talks with the BJP and whether he had bargained hard for a ministerial berth, Thakore said, “I have neither sold out nor am I greedy. Had I been greedy, I would have joined the BJP six months ago,” said Thakore.
Thakore conceded he was unhappy with the functioning of some Congress leaders, but said the matter has been sorted out. “I have received an assurance from the leadership that action will be taken against those who have harmed the interests of my supporters,” he said.
Thakore denied having lobbied with the Congress leadership for a Lok Sabha ticket for his wife. “I do not need a ticket for my wife. Neither my wife nor any member of my family will ever join politics. I had no such discussion with Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday. I just expressed my concern that I was being ignored by the Congress state leadership.”
BJP leaders said he lost favour with their leadership in his attempt to drive a hard bargain. A top BJP leader involved in talks with Thakore over the last few days said, “Alpesh was promised a cabinet berth but his demands kept increasing. He sought government positions for two close aides and also a decisive say in choosing candidates for two seats in North Gujarat. This was unacceptable,” the BJP leader said.
A senior Congress leader said Thakor’s wayward actions over the last week have caused much embarrassment to the party. “The party leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and Ahmed Patel, is very upset at Alpesh’s behavior which has damaged the party. Disciplinary action will be taken against him after the Lok Sabha election,” the leader said.
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