Mumtaz Patel, a prominent Congress figure and the daughter of the late Ahmed Patel, expressed regret to party members in Bharuch for the inability to secure the Lok Sabha constituency during negotiations with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).Â
In a tweet, Patel conveyed her sincere apology to the district cadre, acknowledging their disappointment over the outcome. She assured them of collective efforts to fortify the Congress party, affirming her commitment to preserving her father's esteemed legacy spanning 45 years.
"Deeply apologize to our district cadre for not being able to secure the Bharuch Lok Sabha seat in alliance. I share your disappointment. Together, we will regroup to make Congress stronger. We won't let Ahmed Patel's 45 years of legacy go in vain," Patel tweeted.
AAP had earlier declared its nominee, Dediapada MLA Chaitar Vasava, as the candidate from Bharuch, a decision that was met with disappointment from the Congress camp. Faisal Patel, another Congress leader, and Ahmed Patel's son expressed his dissatisfaction and stated his intention to discuss the matter with party leadership, considering the remaining time before the nomination deadline.
The Bharuch constituency, once a Congress stronghold represented by Ahmed Patel thrice, has seen a shift in political allegiance over the years. Despite the disappointment, Mumtaz Patel reiterated her dedication to her party's cause.
The agreement between AAP and Congress for seat-sharing in several states was announced on Saturday, including Gujarat, where AAP secured Bharuch and Congress gained 24 other Lok Sabha seats.
Earlier reports had suggested potential candidacy for either Faisal Patel or Mumtaz Patel from Bharuch, stirring speculation within the Congress ranks.
