17 Gujarat MLAs will quit Congress, says Alpesh Thakor

GANDHINAGAR: Political circles in Gujarat are abuzz with speculation that BJP is likely to orchestrate yet another round of mass defection from the Congress camp, this time aiming to win both the Rajya Sabha seats from Gujarat that will be vacated soon by Amit Shah and Smriti Irani, both of whom have been elected to the Lok Sabha.

While state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani made a surprise assertion that his party will win both Rajya Sabha seats despite not having the required numbers, rebel Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor claimed about 15-17 MLAs will quit the party soon.

Meanwhile, top BJP sources said Alpesh Thakor and a few Congress MLAs will formally join the saffron party around mid-June. Thakor is also likely to be sworn in as a senior cabinet minister in the Vijay Rupani government.