Gujarat elections 2022: BJP faces rebellion in Savarkundla, Kalavad seats

RAJKOT: Ahead of high-pitched campaigning for the elections, the senior BJP leaders are working overnight to quell the high-decibel voices of dissent that have erupted after the ticket distribution in Saurashtra.
In Jamnagar, BJP workers openly protested the selection of Meghji Chavda for Kalavad (SC) seat which was being eyed by as many as 55 people.
Of these, 30 aspirants made a vociferous representation to the district party president Ramesh Mungra and alleged that Chavda got the ticket due to favouritism.
Neeta Parmar, of the aspirants, said “Chavda is a former MLA from this seat, his wife is with district panchayat, and the other family members are with taluka panchayat. We want other people to also be given a chance.”
In Savarkundla, there is severe resentment against ‘outsider’ Mahesh Kashwala, a resident of Ahmedabad with party workers openly dubbing him as ‘anti-farmer’ and warning him on Saturday to be prepared to lose here.
Ghanshyam Dobariya, who was eyeing this seat, said, “There were 19 aspirants but none of them were consulted.”
Kashwala said, “Certain disagreements are obvious in a big family. I assure all workers that I will address their concerns.”
A senior BJP leader, who has been tasked with handling unhappy leaders in Saurashtra and Kutch, told TOI: “Senior leaders and their supporters have expressed their displeasure to the party on many seats where we have given tickets to Congress turncoats or newcomers. We are confident that their grudges will be addressed. However, there is a risk on seats where we won with small margins.”