Ahmedabad:
For the first time ever, the BJP has won the Kathlal Assembly Seat in Gujarat, ending the Congress' long-term political dominance in this part of Central Gujarat.
"This victory is a defeat for the CBI and the Congress," said Chief Minister Narendra Modi who has repeatedly and publicly attacked the CBI for being misused by the central government to investigate an array of cases in Gujarat. In one of them, relating to the death of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, the CBI's inquiry led to the arrest of Amit Shah, who was Modi's closest aide and the Minister of State for Home. Sheikh was killed by senior Gujarat policemen in November 2005. Shah, according to the CBI, was in regular touch with the policemen who abducted and then killed Sohrabuddin. On record, the Gujarat government said the policemen pretended that Sohrabuddin was a terrorist who planned to assassinate Modi -they hoped they would be rewarded for his death.
However, CBI sources suggest that the powerful marble lobby in Rajasthan wanted Sohrabuddin killed because he had been extorting money from many powerful businessmen. They allegedly contacted Shah through Rajasthani politicians and commissioned Sohrabuddin's murder.
Kathlala's Congress MLA died; by-elections were held on September 13 and counting took place today. The BJP's Kanubhai Dabhi defeated Congress candidate Ghelabhai Zala by 21, 000 votes.
The BJP's victory helps Modi assert that the arrest of his closest aide has not impacted the people of Gujarat. It also strengthens the BJP ahead of elections for municipal corporations scheduled for Gujarat.