Gandhinagar: Former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela today held a press conference and told media persons that he had reserved his vote as MLA for Rajya Sabha election for Congress candidate Ahmed Patel. He however added that his vote was conditional. He said if Ashok Gehlot fails to withdraw his remarks that Shankersinh left Congress due to CBI raids, he would resign from the post of MLA before Rajya Sabha election. Shankersinh attacked Congress general secretary and State party incharge Ashok Gehlot for his remark. Shankersinh said Gehlot should not create puncture in friendship and relation that he enjoys with Ahmed Patel. Shankersinh said he would either vote for Ahmedbhai or would not cast his vote at all. Regarding buzz that his relative and party MLA Balwant Singh who was whip of Congress party in Gujarat assembly would contest Rajya Sabha election as independent candidate, Shankersinh said he has social relation with Rajput and political relation too as whip, but he has maintained distance. Shankersinh said Gehlot who has been appointed state party incharge in Gujarat is camping here now in a bungalow, he should also register his name in voters list here and get declared himself as Chief Ministerial candidate of Congress party. Vaghela said he is not master of MLAs. Vaghela strongly denied possibility of fighting next assembly poll. He said he would reveal his future plans after this intense rainfall season ends. When asked about buzz that his grandson’s father-in-law and Congress MLA from Siddhpur Balwantsinh Rajput is going to contest Rajya Sabha election as independent candidate, Shankersinh said: I don’t know. He is in our social relation, but political relation was just as a whip of party in the assembly.

DeshGujarat