Vaghela out, Cong fields prize fighter, star copycat

Others might consider it a political climbdown but for Dinsha Patel, sitting Congress MP from Nadiad, it is a measure of the confidence high...

Others might consider it a political climbdown but for Dinsha Patel, sitting Congress MP from Nadiad, it is a measure of the confidence higher-ups in the party have in him.

Being the only MP chosen so far to contest the Assembly elections, the idea is to wrest the Nadiad constituency from the BJP and divide its growing influence in the area.

Sachin lookalike thinks only profit

Mumbai: When he walked into the Maharashtra Congress headquarters on Tuesday, he created quite a stir. ‘‘Sachin Tendulkar aala re,’’ the rumour spread. Congressmen scurried out and rushed to PCC president Govindrao Adik’s office, to take a closer look at the batting icon.
The man in question waved, smiled, signed autographs, then turning to Adik said, ‘‘I am Balvir Chand from Punjab’’. Stunned, Adik stared. ‘‘I would like to campaign for the Congress in Gujarat,’’ he said. ‘‘Yes, why not,’’ said Adik.

Story continues below this ad

Balvir was signed on as a Congress campaigner. ‘‘This is the first time I am campaigning for a political party. As a Congress supporter, I thought Indiraji’s birthday will be the best day to offer my services. Besides, it will also help me get modelling work and recognition,’’ he said. ‘‘No speeches. I will sing paeans for Sachin and entertain the crowds.’’
Adik is confident Balvir’s presence will pull crowds. “We hope to take him along to as many constituencies as possible,’’ he said.

Balvir’s main concern is money as he has 10 dependents back home in Sahlon, Punjab. ‘‘I hope to get some money as this will help pay my rent,” he said. Balvir ekes out a living masquerading as Sachin. ‘‘Even getting a job is difficult. I went for an interview for a waiter’s job. They refused, saying it would be an insult to Sachin ,’’ he said. Haima Deshpande

In the traditional Congress bastion of Kheda/Anand districts, Nadiad was one of the six seats that went the BJP way in the last Assembly elections. And it is expected to be a battle royale this time too as Dinsha Patel will battle it out with his one-time protege and former Congressman, Pankaj Desai. Desai’s the sitting BJP MLA in the dissolved House and in the 1998 Assembly elections, he wrested the seat from Congress’ Dhiren Desai with a margin of 13,264 votes.

But Patel’s presence is too strong to be overlooked as he is believed to have nursed the constituency for a long time. Many believe that his presence will help counter the increasing BJP presence in the area, and more so amongst the influential Patels Apart from heading a host of educational and social organisations, the veteran Congressman also has a clean, non-controversial image. Many believe he could be also considered for the No 2 slot in the Cabinet if the Congress wins the elections. But Patel is quick to reject the thought. ‘‘I have no such ambition after such a long stint in politics, I am just following the wishes of the party high command,’’ said the 65-year-old Patel.

Story continues below this ad

Patel also enjoys the unanimous support of Congress leaders in the area, as it was Kheda district Congress Samiti which had passed a unanimous resolution proposing his candidature for Nadiad constituency.

Given the caste composition of Nadiad, only a heavyweight like Patel can win the constituency back for the Congress. Unlike other constituencies, Nadiad remains dominated by the upper castes, i.e; the Brahmins and Vaniyas, in addition to the Patels. The Patels, Vaniyas and Brahmins together roughly constitute 45 per cent of the electorate. While the Kshatriya voters, which otherwise are a strong presence in the area, number only around 20,000 and Muslims and Christians number upto 25,000 from amongst the 1,27,000 voters in Nadiad Assembly constituency.