Congress-BJP to fight it out in Jamalpur
Jamalpur Assembly constituency is likely to witness a close fight between the Congress and the BJP in the forthcoming by-elections scheduled on December 1.

While the BJP declared Lalji Parmar, former mayor of Ahmedabad, as its candidate on late Thursday evening, the Congress is likely to close on Chhipa community leader Sabir Kabliwala for the by-elections.

Jamalpur Assembly constituency left vacant since the death of sitting MLA Usmangani Devdiwala on October 5, is scheduled for by-elections on December 1. Although BJP does not stand a good chance of winning the seat, it being the stronghold of late Congress MLA Usmangani Devdiwala, with the possible denial of ticket to his son, Imtiaz Devdiwala, it is doubtful that Sabir Kabliwala will have full support of Devdiwala’s supporters in the constituency comprising 68,000 Muslims including 23,000 Chhipa Muslims and 40,000 Hindus.

Lalji Parmar clinched the ticket from BJP’s other probable candidates comprising former cricketer Karsan Ghavri and Ashwin Denkar. Party leaders reportedly wanted the ticket to be given to Karsan Ghavri, who had contributed significantly in campaigning for the BJP during the Assembly elections in December 2002.

BJP state president Rajendrasinh Rana informed that Lalji Parmar has been declared the party candidate for the by-election scheduled on December 1.

Congress meanwhile, is less likely to give ticket to son of the late MLA, Imtiaz Devdiwala, who was otherwise a strong contender, probably sensing disgruntlement among party leaders who felt a genuine party man should be given a chance. Chhipa community leader Sabir Kabliwala, a businessman, is most likely to be given preference over other contenders like John Momin, Badruddin Sheikh, Imtiaz Kadri and Kurshid Saiyed.

According to sources, even as Imtiaz Devdiwala’s name was considered for the by-election, "original" Congressmen were unhappy about it. Although initially, everyone had expressed their consent towards the proposal of having the son of the late MLA as the candidate for the by-election, a feeling of disgruntlement had cropped in subsequently as partymen realised that the ticket should go to a genuine worker.

"Devdiwala was an independent candidate and had no affiliations with Congress until the last Assembly elections. Congress leaders and party workers will feel deceived if his son, who does not enjoy a standing in the party, is given ticket," a leader confessed.

Republished from The Asian Age