Nilesh Kumbhani, a suspended Congress leader from Surat, Gujarat, who went missing after his nomination form was rejected, has resurfaced after 20 days. His disappearance led to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning the Surat Lok Sabha seat uncontested. Kumbhani’s reappearance is marked by strong criticisms against the Congress party.
Kumbhani alleged that the Congress had betrayed him first in 2017 by canceling his ticket for the Kamrej assembly seat in Surat at the last moment. Despite remaining silent initially out of respect for Gujarat Congress leaders Shaktisinh Gohil and Paresh Dhanani, Kumbhani spoke out against the party, accusing it of internal dysfunction and interference in his campaigning efforts.
According to Kumbhani, the Surat Congress is controlled by five self-proclaimed leaders who hinder the party’s functioning and discourage collaboration with other political groups like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He emphasized that his actions were driven by the dissatisfaction of his supporters and workers due to the party’s internal dynamics.
Kumbhani’s troubles escalated when his nomination form for the Lok Sabha elections was rejected on April 21, following discrepancies in the affidavits submitted by his proposers. This rejection led to the Congress’ substitute candidate, Suresh Padsala, also facing disqualification, ultimately resulting in the BJP’s candidate, Mukesh Dalal, being elected unopposed from Surat.
When questioned about whether his actions were motivated by revenge against the Congress, Kumbhani refrained from a direct response but reiterated his grievances regarding the 2017 ticket cancellation.
Kumbhani’s public criticism and the subsequent withdrawal of Congress candidates have significant implications for the political landscape in Surat. The BJP’s uncontested victory underscores the challenges faced by opposition parties in maintaining unity and managing internal dissent.
Nilesh Kumbhani’s reappearance and allegations against the Congress highlight the complexities and tensions within political parties during election seasons. The fallout from this incident could shape future electoral strategies and alliances in Gujarat’s political arena.
Sources By Agencies
