Gandhinagar: BJP leader Narhari Amin will file nomination form as third candidate of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today along with earlier declared two candidates Abhay Bhardwaj and Ramila Bara. As per the existing number of MLAs, BJP can get two of four Rajya Sabha seats in Gujarat, for which polling is scheduled on March 26. Congress has announced Shaktisinh Gohil and Bharatsinh Solanki as party’s candidates. Third candidate fielded by BJP would make the election interesting. Amin is one of BJP leaders with excellent contacts in Congress. Former Congress Deputy Chief Minister Narhari Amin joined BJP just ahead of year 2012 Gujarat Assembly general elections. Amin, a Kadva Patel and follower of BAPS Swaminarayan is Vice Chairman of State Planning Commission. His this post is equivalent of ministerial rank. Out of two Congress candidates, Bharatsinh and Shaktisinh, BJP is likely to attempt defeat of Shaktisinh through candidature of Narhari Amin.Votes of Chhotu Vasava led Bharatiya Tribal Party and regionally Shankersinh Vaghela led NCP will be important with third candidate in picture. However victory for Narhari will not be possible without a few Congress MLAs changing their loyalty. Possibilities of Amin playing Patel card to win extra number of required votes can’t be denied, as a group of Patel MLAs of Congress party had recently demanded at least one Patel candidate for Rajya Sabha election. Congress party however has fielded both candidates from Kshatriya community.While Amin personally enjoys good relation with Congress candidate Bharatsinh Solanki, the other Congress candidate Shaktisinh Gohil is likely on his target.

Update: Congress leader Gaurav Pandya tweets

Dy CM Nitin Patel’s reaction

Many Congress leaders and MLAs are unhappy with selection of candidates for Rajya Sabha election. Congress’s groupism and uneasiness will give only few extra votes required by third BJP Candidate. Congress had to change a candidate last evening succumbing to threat issued by a leader. We just require three to four extra votes. Look at what happened in Madhya Pradesh. Jyotiraditya Scindia was not selected as candidate for Rajya Sabha and he joined BJP.

DeshGujarat