RAJKOT: The Rajkot city Congress on Friday alleged that Narsi Patoria, who was given mandate by the party to contest Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) by-election from ward 13, had switched sides and joined BJP at the eleventh hour, because he was pressurised by the BJP. Patoria had withdrawn his candidature early this month at the last moment, leaving no opportunity for the Congress to rope in another candidate.The Congress on Friday said that BJP members had threatened Patoria to expose is relationship with a woman working in a school and forced him to withdraw the candidature.Congress corporator Jagruti Dangar and her husband held a press conference on Friday in the city.Congress city president Ashok Dangar alleged, “Patoria has admitted before Jagruti and her husband that BJP members had threatened to expose his relation with a woman five years ago. We have recorded conversation between Jagruti and Patoria.”BJP had evidence of that relation and used it to blackmail Patoria. However, Patoria in a statement challenged Danger to prove his allegation or face defamation.Patoria was roped in against BJP’s candidate Nitin Ramani, who himself had left Congress and joined BJP earlier. The voting of one seat of ward 13 is scheduled on Sunday.

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