Four Guj Cong MLAS resign ahead of RS polls; party shifts flock

AHMEDABAD: Four Congress MLAS in Gujarat have tendered their resignation to Assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi ahead of the election to the four Rajya Sabha seats in the state to be held on March 26, prompting the opposition party to shift at least 24 MLAS to Jaipur on Sunday.

While the Congress said not a single "honest" MLA has resigned, state BJP president Jitu Vaghani said if the four legislators have indeed quit, the saffron party will win three seats in the RS elections.

Later, the Congress shifted around two dozen of its MLAS to Jaipur fearing poaching.

These moves come as Assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi confirmed on Sunday that four Congress MLAS had tendered their resignations on Saturday, all of which had been accepted. Trivedi said he would disclose the names of the four MLAS during the Assembly session on Monday.

"Four Congress MLAS tendered their resignation to me on Saturday, and I will announce their names in the Assembly tomorrow," the speaker told PTI.

Vaghani said he was informed about the development by the speaker.

"Trivedi said that the names of the MLAS who have resigned will be announced in the Assembly on Monday which is in session. MLAS of the Congress have resigned it seems. It means the BJP is winning three seats (in the upcoming Rajya Sabha election)," Vaghani said.

He said the Congress can withdraw its candidates form the RS election fray till Monday.

BJP Minister in the state government, Kunvarji Bavaliya, claimedthat several Congress MLAS who are not happy with their party are in touch with the BJP.

He said several such MLAS are likely to join the ruling party in coming days.