Gujarat: Harin Pathak supporters burn Paresh Rawal's effigy

AHMEDABAD: The supporters of BJP leader Harin Pathak today burnt the effigies of Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal, "an outsider candidate" from East Ahmedabad seat.

BJP has given ticket from East Ahmedabad constituency to Rawal instead of Pathak, a seven-time MP.

"We held protest at several places in Ahmedabad East constituency and burnt the effigies of the outsider candidate Paresh Rawal," a Pathak supporter said.

"The party has insulted our leader by giving ticket to an outsider. Harin bhai always treated us like a family, but the party has meted out a step-motherly treatment to him," said Dahegam town BJP chief Chandresh Patel.

Several party workers were detained by police near Dahegam in Gandhinagar district which comes under the Ahmedabad east constituency.

"We have lodged a complaint against a group of people who burnt Rawal's effigies and staged a protest without permission," a Dahegam police station officer said.

Residents of Vatva localitiy here too staged a protest. "We want our leader to contest. We will not allow an outsider from this seat," said Neelesh Patel, a resident of the area. "BJP keeps appealing not to vote for Sonia Gandhi as she is an outsider, so why it has given ticket to Rawal?"

Pathak, who is considered close to L K Advani, earlier today said he will consult party workers before deciding his next course of action, within three days.