Vaghela, flanked by BJP leaders, quits Guj House
Ahmedabad, Aug. 16: Flanked by Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani and a host of senior ministers, Congress’ former stalwart Shankarsinh Vaghela, whose rebellion had shaken the party, resigned on Wednesday as MLA, but insisted he will not join the BJP.
Mr Vaghela tendered his resignation to Assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora. The presence of Mr Rupani, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and senior BJP ministers Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and Pradeepsinh Jadeja triggered a fresh bout of speculation about his joining the saffron party.
However, the 77-year-old leader’s persistent refrain was that he would not join any political party.
“I was contemplating resigning as MLA for some time. I had a meeting with the people of my constituency, Kapadvanj, and after informing them I resigned as MLA today,” Mr Vaghela told journalists.
On July 21, his 77th birthday, Mr Vaghela had snapped ties with the Congress and even resigned as the Leader of the Opposition. He had, however, not quit as an MLA. Mr Vaghela, a former chief minister, had quit BJP and joined the Congress two decades ago.
The presence of the leading lights of the BJP on Tuesday, when Mr Vaghela resigned sparked speculation about his return to the saffron party ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled later this year.