Mevani hopes Cong may not project anyone as CM face

Kochi (PTI): Gujarat independent MLA Jignesh Mevani has expressed hope that the Congress may not project anyone as its Chief Ministerial candidate in the upcoming Assembly polls in the Western state and a “collective leadership” would be taking on the ruling BJP.

The Dalit leader, who is closely working with the Congress although he did not join the party officially, said the party should elect the face emerging from the people’s movement to head the government if it wins the elections.

Talking to PTI, Mevani, who was campaigning for Cong candidate contesting the bypoll in Thrikkakara Assembly constituency, however, said he was not in the race for the top post.

“No no...We will go with the collective leadership”, he said when asked whether the Congress will project anyone as its Chief Ministerial face in the Gujarat Assembly polls.

“It is the people’s movement from which the faces emerge. So, the Congress party or any other political party for that matter... requires those faces which are emerged from people’s movement”, said Mevani who won from Vadgam in Banaskantha district in 2017 Gujarat Assembly polls with Congress support.

Asked if he is ready to take up the role if it is offered to him, Mevani said, “No no...I am not into those races”.

Mevani claimed that Patidar community leader Hardik Patel’s resignation from the Cong did not create much impact for the party