Gandhinagar: There’s a strong buzz that Balwantsinh Rajput, Chief Whip of opposition Congress party in Gujarat assembly, MLA from Siddhpur and father-in-law of Shankersinh Vaghela’s grandson is going to contest Rajya Sabha election as an independent candidate with support of BJP and rebel Congress MLAs.

When asked whether Rajput was going to contest the Rajya Sabha election, Shankersinh Vaghela yesterday in a press conference replied: ‘I don’t know’.

Meanwhile in reply to a question over Rajput, Gujarat Congress incharge and national general secretary of party Ashok Gehlot yesterday said: ‘Our Chief Whip Balwantsinh Rajput is untraced for last two days. We don’t know where BJP leaders have kept him after kidnapping him. People at his home say Balwantsinh went out to distribute relief material in flood-hit areas but did not return. People at his home are worried, our party workers are worried, we are worried because our Chief Whip has role to play in Rajya Sabha election. Ahmed Patel filed nomination for Rajya Sabha election, then there was a meeting of MLAs and our Chief Whip Balwantsinh was out of sight. We are worried about his status. Government should check where is he. It’s worrisome for us that our Chief Whip in assembly is missing.’

It’s worth noting that Ahmed Patel needs 46 votes(MLAs) to win Rajya Sabha election. Congress has 57 MLAs. 2 MLAs of NCP have also declared support to Ahmed Patel. 1 MLA of JDU was seen declaring his support to Ahmed Patel yesterday before the fresh political developments in Bihar. The latest stand of JDU MLA is not clear. 1 MLA elected on GPP ticket might also vote for Congress, however it is not sure at this stage. So, officially Ahmed Patel enjoys enough support to win one seat of Rajya Sabha but in the recent Presidential election, 11 opposition MLAs voted for BJP candidate. In addition to them, if 5 more opposition MLAs choose vote for BJP supported candidate(possibly Balwantsinh Rajput) in Rajya Sabha election, the official candidate of Congress party Ahmed Patel may loss the election which could be BJP’s ultimate plan.