Two Gujarat MLAs quit Congress; one joins BJP, another on the way

Ahmedabad: Ahead of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meet to be held in Ahmedabad on March 12, the state unit of the party is in the embarrassing position of seeing several of its MLAs resigning and joining the BJP.

The latest to jump ship are Jawahar Chawda and Purushottam Sabaria from Manavadar and Halwad constituencies respectively.

Both MLAs have put in their papers to the Speaker of the Assembly. Mr Chawda joined the saffron party immediately after he resigned, while Mr Sabaria is expected to join very soon. With these resignations, the Congress’ tally in the Assembly is reduced to 72 from 78.

Dr Asha Patel, elected from Unjha in North Gujarat, had joined the BJP earlier.  State cabinet minister Kunvarji Bawalia resigned from Jasdan constituency eight month ago and was re-elected as a BJP candidate in January.  

Bhagwan Barad, Congress MLA, was suspended by the Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly immediately after a local court convicted him in a land mining case. The party seems to be in big trouble with these developments.

Mr Chawda, a four-time MLA, is the son of the towering Congress leader Pethalji Chawda. He is believed to have a strong hold over the Ahir community which dominates in his constituency.  He may contest from Junagadh in the Lok Sabha elections.

“I have decided to join the BJP after long thought. Though I didn’t have any issue with the Congress leadership, I think we should stand united with Prime Minister Narendra Modi so I am here,” he said while joining the party. The BJP believes his joining will increase the party’s chance to win Junagadh.

The party is trying hard to attract strong Congress leaders who enjoy full community support.

Speculation is rife that more Congress MLAs, including young OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, will also defect to the BJP.