Rajkot by-polls prestigious issue: Chief Minister Anandi Patel

RAJKOT: Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel today said Rajkot (West) by-election was a prestigious issue and BJP workers should not repeat mistakes of September by- polls, where the party lost two seats in the Saurashtra region.

"We lost two seats in the last month's by-polls as we made some mistakes. Therefore, the Rajkot (West) by-election is a prestigious issue for all of us and we should work hard to win it," Patel told party workers here.

She was referring to Mangrol and Khambhalia seats in the Saurashtra region, which the BJP lost to the Congress in the September by-polls. BJP also lost the Deesa assembly seat in North Gujarat in the by-poll.

The Rajkot seat fell vacant after sitting MLA and speaker of Gujarat Assembly Vajubhai Vala, who had retained the seat since 1990, resigned after being appointed Governor of Karnataka. Polls will be held on October 15.

Leading face of the Patel community in Saurashtra, Jayantibhai Kalariya, is contesting the election on a Congress ticket against BJP's Vijay Rupani and Patel voters in Rajkot (West) are considered as the deciding factor in elections.

The CM tried to keep both 'Kadva' and 'Leuva' Patel communities happy during her visit today, as she first had breakfast at Kadva Patel leader Maulesh Ukani's residence and then had dinner with Leuva Patel leader Naresh Patel, who is also president of the Khodhal Dham Trust.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel also addressed a public gathering at Amin Road and met party workers at Atmiya College and Bal Bhavan here.