Congress veteran leader Ahmed Patel likely to contest from Bharuch: Sources in Gujarat Congress

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha election 2019, sources in the Congress party have said that Ahmed Patel has agreed to contest from the Bharuch seat in Gujarat. Sources further added that he is meeting several local leaders from Bharuch in Delhi to figure out all the possibilities to such a scenario. 

The Rahul Gandhi led-Congress party has been trying to convince Patel, a close aide of former party president Sonia Gandhi to improve their chances of winning in this year's Gujarat Lok Sabha elections.

Patel, currently a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat has a stronghold in Bharuch, which has a  sizeable population of Tribals and Muslims. But Patel has not been contesting Lok Sabha elections since 1991. The veteran Congress leader had won from Bharuch thrice — in 1977, 1984 and 1989, but lost to the BJP’s Chandubhai Deshmukh in 1991. BJP has retained the seat thereafter.

Although an official statement about Patel's candidature is being awaited, Senior Gujarat Congress leaders have also confirmed the possibility.

WATCH: PM Modi Attacks Congress Over 'Hindu Terror' Bogey, Alludes To Rahul Gandhi Running Away To Wayanad Where 'majority Is In Minority'

Congress in some regions of Gujarat including Bharuch is facing opposition from Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP). Though the party has approached them for an alliance to tackle the winning juggernaut of BJP in Gujarat, Chhotu Vasava, leader of the BTP has completely rejected any approach.

However, sources say that the Gujarat Congress party is trying to bank on the fact that Vasava is long term friend of Ahmed Patel and the Gujarat Congress hopes that his candidacy will help them to get the support of BTP.

In 2014 general elections, BJP had clean sweeped all the 25 seats of the state with Congress unable to get even one seat. However, it was successful in increasing its seats in 2017 Gujarat Assembly polls, limiting the BJP to 99 seats in the 182 member-assembly.

READ: Rahul Gandhi Should've Contested From A Seat Where BJP Is Contesting, Wayanad Nothing But A Fight Against Left,' Says Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan On Congress' Alternative To Amethi