Gujarat polls:Vaghela's front to contest on another party's symbol
October 25, 2017  19:46
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Congress' former leader Shankersinh Vaghela said today his new political front will contest all the 182 seats of Gujarat Assembly on the election symbol of a Rajasthan-based party.

The polling for the two-phase elections will take place on December 9 and 14, and votes will be counted on December18.

According to Vaghela, a former chief minister of Gujarat,the 'All India Hindustan Congress' party, registered in Jaipura year back and allotted the symbol of 'a farmer driving a tractor', has agreed to give the symbol to his front, 'Jan Vikalp'.

"Though we sought a symbol from the EC to contest this election, it is now too late. Thus, we have entered into an agreement with 'All India Hindustan Congress Party', which has agreed to give its symbol to us. Our candidates will fight polls on that symbol," Vaghela told reporters in Ahmedabad today.

Vaghela, an influential Kshatriya leader, had quit the Congress after the Rajya Sabha polls in August and joined 'Jan Vikalp', an organisation floated by his supporters.

According to Hindustan Congress' national general secretary Anil Kumar Sharma, the party has agreed to give its symbol to Vaghela and be a part of the Jan Vikalp front.

"The party was formed one year back in Jaipur and this is the first election for us. We have agreed to give our symbol to Vaghela's front for the Gujarat election. We here by declare unconditional support of our party to Vaghela," Sharma told reporters at the joint press conference

Vaghela said if his front comes to power, it would take care of the poor.

He also promised to bring a bill in the assembly seeking to give 25 per cent additional quota for non-reserved classes in Gujarat.

"I believe that non-reserved classes should get 25 per cent reservation. It is a misconception that the state cannot go beyond 49.5 per cent quota. We will bring a legislation to give 25 per cent additional quota if voted to power," he said.   -- PTI
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