Audio clip ‘reveals’ horse-trading bid

AHMEDABAD: An audio clip containing a purported phone conversation between Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Narendra Patel and Varun Patel, who has switched over from PAAS to BJP, emerged on Thursday, revealing a horse-trading bid before the state assembly polls to be held on December 9 and 14.

Narendra Patel on Sunday had accused the BJP of trying to buy his support. His allegations had come at a press conference held hours after he joined the party where the Patidar leader also produced Rs 10 lakh cash which he claimed was the advance money given to him by the BJP.

“Hold a press conference after getting 60% of the promised amount. The rest money you will get after the conference,” Varun told Narendra Patel in the clip which went viral on Thursday. Authenticity of the clip is yet to be established.

To this proposal, Narendra Patel objected, according to the clip, and asked why the entire amount was not being given in one go. “My boys will leave the place with the money and then I will address the press conference," says Narendra Patel. He was, however, convinced by Varun Patel to hold the press conference first. In the clip, Varun is asking Narendra to bring at least four-five members with him to the conference.

To this Narendra Patel allegedly says, "I will need at least half an hour to call four-five boys. So, I will address the press half an hour after the deal is done."

Varun Patel initially insists on Narendra Patel holding the press meet first, but later says that they would decide on it during their meeting.

Reacting to the episode, PAAS leader Hardik Patel told TOI, “The real face of Varun Patel and the BJP has been exposed. Varun used to dare Narendra Patel to furnish proof of the secret deal. Now, it has been proved that money was given to buy our members. The Election Commission should take cognizance of this."

On the new court case against him, Hardik said, "Withdrawal of cases lodged against members of our community was only an eyewash. Had the cases been withdrawn, the Mehsana court would not have issued summons against me. The BJP government intentionally did not withdraw cases against us and kept some crucial cases in their pockets to use them against us."

Another PAAS leader Dinesh Bambhania said that his outfit would approach election commission over the issue. He alleged that the BJP has been making all efforts to buy Patidar votes.

“We have enough evidence against the BJP and its top leaders who have begun horse-trading. We will present it soon before the court and the people of Gujarat. We will approach the election commission to seek cancelation of any poll activity by all those who tried to buy PAAS members. We will also file a petition before the high court over the issue,” said Bambhania.

“This is nothing but a case of black money so the investigating agencies must initiate a probe against the Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani who had allotted this money,” he added.

Both Varun and Narendra Patel could not be reached out for their comments on the issue.