In a dramatic turn of political developments in Gujarat, the Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday suspended its Botad MLA Umesh Makwana from the party for five years for “anti-party and anti-people activities”.
The announcement by state party president Isudan Ghadvi came in less than two hours of Makwana resigning from the post of the party’s whip in the state assembly and joint secretary at the all India level.
With this development, there has been a short circuit of sorts in the AAP’s celebrations for victory in Visavadar by-poll. On Monday, Gopal Italia had won the election by a margin of over 17,000 by defeating Bharatiya Janata Party’s Kirit Patel.
Efforts by Vibes of India to reach out to Ghadvi and Makwana proved futile.
Ghadvi said in a video message that the decision was taken by the party’s top leadership. He said that AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders have decided not to tolerate anyone who goes against the party or against the people.
He further held that the party had received several anonymous complaints against the Makwana from the constituency.
Ghadvi even alleged that for quite some time the BJP was manipulating Makwana to indulge into anti-party activities. The BJP is rattled after the AAP’s victory in Visavadar, he further claimed.
He challenged Makwana to resign and contest the election from Botad. Ghadvi also challenged the BJP to give ticket to Makwana from Botad and face the election against the AAP’s candidate.
Earlier in the day in Gandhinagar, Makwana said he was resigning from the post of the whip and also the AAP’s national joint secretary.
He cited caste-based discrimination within the party while resigning. Makwana said as regards resigning from the post of MLA, he said he would as the electorate as he was elected by them.
Makwana also expressed displeasure over the fact that all top leaders of the party were campaigning in Visavadar and nobody came to Kadi. In Kadi, AAP’s candidate could not even cross five figure votes, stood third and lost the deposit.
The Botad MLA claimed that the Dalit candidate from Kadi had taken a loan of Rs 10 lakh to contest the election and now he is left to fend for himself.
During the campaigning of by-elections, Makwana had stayed in Kadi and not visited Visavadar even once.
A few months ago there was a rumor that Makwana would quit the AAP. However at that time, he organised a press conference and said he was not resigning.
Sources said that there is more than what meets the eye. The grapevine in the political circles is that the ruling BJP was keen on ensuring that the AAP’s strength does not increase in the state assembly.
Also Read: Mira Nair’s Son Mamdani Tops Cuomo, Poised To Become NYC’s First Muslim Mayor https://www.vibesofindia.com/mira-nairs-son-mamdani-tops-cuomo-poised-to-become-nycs-first-muslim-mayor/
