Gujarat: Modi aide to contest polls despite being chargesheeted in fake encounter cases

Ahmedabad: Accused, arrested and released on bail in two fake encounter cases, Gujarat's former home minister Amit Shah will now contest as the BJP's candidate from the Narayanpura seat in Ahmedabad. It was certain that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's close aide would be given ticket a despite those allegations and that's because Modi himself has often portrayed Shah as a victim of a CBI witch hunt on the political stage.

It's a sentiment that's often only favoured Modi power in the electoral fields of Gujarat. BJP leader Bharat Pandya said, "Ämit Shah is innocent. The investigation against him by the CBI is a Congress conspiracy."

But apart from attacking the Centre, it's been well known the Shah is virtually one of Modi's closest aides and poll managers. Observers also say that the fake encounters itself have been sold by Modi as action taken by the state against criminal elements in the minority community and letting Shah down could have dented Modi's image.

Amit Shah has often portrayed by Narendra Modi as a victim of a CBI witch hunt on the political stage.

The congress though aware that raising the issue will only benefit Modi claims this only shows the real side of the BJP. Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said, "The real face of the BJP has now been exposed. They are giving tickets to leaders who are corrupt, who promote riots and who are tainted."

It is not just Shah the pressures of electoral politics has meant the BJP has given tickets to several leaders who face criminal cases like Purushottam Solanki in Saurashtra. It's perhaps clear that the ability to win a seat is more important than antecedents when it comes to an election.

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