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Congress 'Fire Fighting' team to extinguish dissension after ticket row

Congress 'Fire Fighting' team to extinguish dissension after ticket row

By Nirendra Dev
Ahmedabad, Nov 23 (UNI) Faced with dissensions among the rank and file following ticket distribution row, the Congress high command could see depute a "fire-fighting team to extinguish unhappiness" among the disgruntled party workers in poll-bound Gujarat.
A small team of AICC office bearers could be soon visiting the western state to meet party workers and even individual ticket aspirants who could not be accommodated in this year's ticket distribution.
"They all are important party workers and every one of them matters," a senior party leader said.
Dissidence surfaced no sooner in Surat region after the Congress released its first list of candidates. Sparking off rebellion, three leaders resigned from the party and hundreds of foot-soldiers were left complaining.
Among others who were not happy with party leadership include state Congress secretary Feroz Malek, who complained that despite assurances, the Congress failed to field adequate number of Muslim candidates.
Congress corporators Dhansukh Rajput and Jyoti Sojitra also resigned triggering a mass dissociation of a large number of party workers in Surat region -- where the party "expected" to put up good show in the wake of traders' anguish against the BJP over the alleged half-baked Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Worse for Congress, Mr Rajput even sought to reflect on Congress party's failure to keep its promise with the 'Uttar Bharatiyas (North Indians) and migrant workers'. "The Congress has not given a ticket to any candidate from North India. We have over 15 lakh migrant work force here," he protested.
In this year's elections, the Congress has been eyeing the larger chunk of Patidar votes, but as the confusion prevailed for a while on party's tie up with the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), there is a feedback that some "fickle-minded voters could end up either staying away from voting or even could vote against Congress".
"This happens in every elections. But it is more so in Gujarat this year due to high stakes and emotive atmosphere around. Many Patidar voters willing to vote for Congress could harbour apprehensions on what would happen if BJP wins comfortably. Will they be targeted," an AICC office bearer told UNI.
"This section needs to be addressed and assured that come what may, the Congress will be behind its supporters," the source said.
The PAAS led by Hardik Patel had demanded at least 20 seats in return for their support to Congress. But at a later stage, Mr Patel himself denied seeking tickets.
On Wednesday, Mr Patel also announced that he and the Congress party have agreed on a quota formula.
But by then, damage has been done vis-a-vis relationship between foot soldiers in the PAAS and the Congress party. Moreover, there is no end to the confusion over the status of reservation quota as assured by Congress to Hardik Patel.
While Congress remains non-committal about quota percentage, Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: "We have not committed anything on percentage of quota (for Patidars quota). I have never said, 51 or 50 or 52. It is time the BJP leaders should clarify how in BJP-ruled states there have been reservation talk for more than 51 per cent".
On Sunday, November 19, the Congress workers allegedly exchanged blows with PAAS members who were protesting outside the Surat office of Congress.
Similarly, some unhappiness among Congress rank and file have been also reported from tribal seats, sources said.
The fire-fighting team - therefore - is expected to visit Ahmedabad and Surat in particular, Congress sources said.
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