Will win RS seat with surprising numbers: Ahmed Patel

Ahmedabad: Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Monday expressed confidence on winning Rajya Sabha election from Gujarat.

He exhumed confidence to win the seat with surprising numbers "despite ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) conspiracy" against him.

Speaking to the reporters, Patel said, "I have full confidence of my victory tomorrow despite the BJP's attempts and the numbers will surprise everyone. I will also hold meeting with all our Gujarat MLAs individually. If anyone cross-votes tomorrow, they will face action from party or even disqualification."

Accusing the BJP of



engineering defections, Patel said the party has threatened and applied pressure on the families of the 44 Congress MLAs, whom the grand old party sent to Bengaluru to save them from horse trading.

"It is unfortunate that BJP has forced us to keep MLAs huddled. BJP has threatened and pressurised families of 44 MLAs but they remain committed to the Congress," he said, adding that a whip will also be issued in this regard.

Patel added that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has also announced its support to him.

The NCP has said it will support Congress in the Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat.