The rebellion Congress MLA and Thakor Sena leader Alpesh Thakor has raised question whether it will cost Congress party seats in north Gujarat, where votes of Thakor community are significant. Thakor's campaigning for independent candidates and division in Thakor votes may reduce votes to Congress, said a political observer.
Congress has fielded two Thakors, Jagdish Thakor from Patan and Rajendra Thakor from Sabarkantha. Alpesh's claim that he will canvass for representatives of Thakor Sena can hurt Congress in these seats. Party's prospects in Mehsana and Banskantha can also be affected.
North Gujarat is the second most critical part of the state for Congress party. During the state Assembly polls, the party bagged 17 seats from 32 seats in north Gujarat. Saurashtra was the region that gave maximum seats to Congress in Vidhan Sabha polls.