Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017: AAP leaders join Congress, allege party supporting BJP

In a big jolt to Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), several party leaders on Monday joined the Congress party along with over 200 supporters ahead of the state assembly elections.

The big names who switched over to the grand old party include AAP’s state women wing head Vandana Patel and its Ahmedabad, Kheda, Mehsana and Rajkot incharges Rituraj Mehta, Hasmukh Patel, Lalubhai Ladiwala, Ankur Dhameliya, and Tushar Jani, respectively.

Congress’ Gujarat unit president Bharatsinh Solanki was present at the time when these AAP leaders were inducted in the party at the headquarters.

The rebel leaders alleged that they were quitting the party as the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is fielding candidates in a way to damage the Congress’ chances of winning the elections.

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Speaking on the issue, Vandana Patel said, “We have resolved to support the Congress to uproot the BJP in Gujarat. We are quitting the AAP as we felt that the party is fighting against the Congress instead of the BJP.”

Those who contest the forthcoming polls as the third front will end up supporting the BJP, Rituraj Mehta said.

The first list of candidates for 11 assembly constituencies was recently released by the AAP. It also included Rajkot (West), which is being represented by CM Vijay Rupani.

AAP Gujarat incharge Gopal Rai had recently said that his party’s contest is against the BJP and the party will not end up into eating votes of the Congress.

He had said the AAP will contest polls on those seats where it has an organisational base.

(With PTI inputs)

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