Ex-MP Dinu Solanki's men win 12 seats in Kodinar taluka panchayat

Rajkot: In a big boost to former BJP MP from Junagadh, Dinu Solanki, his men won 12 seats in the Kodinar taluka panchayat in Junagadh.
Out of the total 22 seats in Kodinar taluka panchayat, Solanki's supporters won 12 seats, BJP won 7 and Congress won three seats.
Solanki had fielded his men as independents in Kodinar taluka panchayat and district panchayat seats of Gir-Somnath district.His men also won two Gir-Somnath district panchayat seats.
The former MP is accused in murder of RTI activist Amit Jethva's. He is out on bail and is making efforts to maintain his political supremacy in coastal villages of Kodinar since the BJP has side-lined him. After Solanki's supporters decided to contest as independent candidates, BJP suspended five of his supporters from the party for six years.
All the candidates, who contested as independents were BJP leaders in Kodinar and held various positions in party in the past. Now, all eyes are on Solanki's further move, whether he aligns with Congress or supports BJP.
By snatching Kodinar taluka panchayat, Solanki proved his clout in coastal town.
According to sources, Solanki controls local marketing yard, sugar co-operatives, co-operative banks, Kodinar municipality and other important bodies.