Gujarat elections: Suspense deepens for Choryasi, Dediapada seats

SURAT: While it has announced candidates for all other seats, the BJP has kept party workers in south Gujarat guessing on two key seats of Choryasi in Surat and Dediapada in Narmada district.
Sources in the political circles claim that a decision on Dediapada will be made after analysing the Bharatiya Tribal Party’s next move. It is rumoured that the BTP is exploring association with some leading political party in the state.

Meanwhile, even though the Choryasi seat is well in BJP’s pocket after the party had won it for the past three terms, it is yet to decided on a candidate.
Currently, the sitting MLA on this seat Zankhana Patel, who had won the seat in 2017 with the second highest winning margin in the state of 1.10 lakh votes. She was given the chance after her father Raja Patel, who had won the seat in 2012, died of dengue in August 2015. Zankhana had also won the bypoll that took place in 2016 after Patel’s death.
Sources claim that the saffron party is yet to make a decision based on the multiple demands by many strong contenders for this seat. Apart from Patel, sitting municipal councillors and senior city BJP leaders are also trying to get an opportunity on the seat.
Choryasi constituency has Koli and migrant population voters, two major segments that play key roles in the victory of any candidate. Like Olpad, area wise it is one of the biggest constituencies comprising a majority of urban areas along with adjoining rural areas.
Almost all areas of Choryasi constituency fall under Navsari parliamentary seat from where the state BJP president C R Paatil is an MP. It is one of the reasons why the role of the Choryasi MLA is considered to be crucial.
Meanwhile, even the Congress is yet to declare a candidate for this seat even though AAP has named Prakash Contractor as its candidate. Contractor has been active in a few farmer-based movements and villagers’ protests against pollution.
“There are many capable candidates that can win from Choryasi. Hence, there is huge demand from various groups and we will take a decision soon,” said a senior BJP leader.
Sorces said that the Congress leadership is, however, on wait and watch mode looking at BJP’s announcement. Unlike the BJP, Congress does not have many leadership options but has experienced politicians from Koli and migrant communities.