BJP’s sitting MP in Daman faces rough weather

SURAT: Re-nomination of Lalu Patel, sitting MP from the Union territory of Daman and Diu, as party candidate by BJP leadership has created a lot of resentment among party workers. There were 10 aspirants for ticket from BJP and two of them have decided to contest as independents in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. History shows that people have never returned the sitting MP for third term from here.Hence, it is not going to be easy for BJP’s Lalu Patel. However, Lalu Patel told TOI, “I am confident of winning for the third consecutive term. People of Daman will not support independent candidates.”
Daman Youth Action Committee (DYAC) president Umesh Patel, working against BJP rule and for employment of locals in industrial units, will also contest as an independent. For this seat of 90,000 votes, victory and defeat margins can be even less than 10,000 votes. In such a situation, if locals decide to fight as independents, Congress and BJP could be in trouble.
Daman voters wait till the last moment to cast their votes. Locals says workers of parties come to their houses to give a ‘potli’ (pouch of liquor) and a note of Rs500 to vote for them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah had given an indication that the sitting MPs from Dadra and Nagar Haveli (DNH) and Daman and Diu will be re-nominated by the party as its candidate. This had created a lot of resentment among party workers.
Locals dependent on earnings from rented huts in the coastal area of Daman are angry with BJP administration led by Praful Patel. There have been demolitions in Daman’s coastal area where locals earn their livelihood by selling liquor and seafood. Owners of industrial units are also unhappy with the local administration.
Daman Jilla Panchayat president Sukhabhai Patel told TOI, “There was resentment among locals against sitting MPs in DNH and Daman. But after their names were finalized as party candidates by BJP leadership, people have decided to go with them.”
BJP sources said if Congress decides to replace Ketan Patel as its candidate, a fresh face will definitely create problems for Lalu Patel.