SURAT/BHARUCH:
Sharad Yadav led Janta Dal (U) faction in Gujarat demanded at least 15 seats in the tribal belt of south Gujarat from Congress as a part of alliance for the
Gujarat assembly elections.
National president of Janta Dal (U) and a tribal leader
Chhotu Vasava told TOI, “We have decided to fight against BJP in state and have joined hands with Congress. We have a strong presence in tribal area, especially in south Gujarat. A series of meetings with Congress were fruitful and we are optimistic that we will get enough on seat sharing agreement.”
He said that his party was not comfortable with Congress on ideology front as they have done nothing for tribal rights. “BJP and Congress have same basic agenda in the name of development. But in present context Congress is better option. The tribals of state are worst affected with GST and note ban. There are issues of unemployment, poverty and poor allocation of budget for tribal area development,” added Vasava.
The veteran leader also confirmed that he was going to contest for seventh term from Jhagadia constituency on Janta Dal (U) symbol. Vasava has won six consecutive terms from Jhagadia defeating both BJP and Congress with heavy margins. The Janta Dal faction led by Nitish Kumar has, however, raised the issue that Vasava can’t use its symbol.
Vasava said he has registered
Bhartiya Aadivasi Party
with election commission and may put few candidates on under new party banner with an aim to defeat BJP. “Our youth wing Bhilistan Tiger Sena have very strong roots in Bharuch, Narmada and Surat districts. We are strengthening our base in tribal dominated areas of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra with an aim for a separate Bhilistan state,” Vasava added.
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