Another Gujarat Cong MLA quits; party RS poll plan in disarray

Another Gujarat Congress MLA has resigned from the Assembly, Speaker Rajendra Trivedi said on Monday, taking the tally of legislators who have quit to five and denting the party's chances of winning two seats in the BJP-ruled state in the March 26 Rajya Sabha polls.

Trivedi informed the state legislative assembly, which is having its budget session, that he has accepted their resignations.

The resignations of MLAs have come just days before the Rajya Sabha polls, in which the Congress was certain to win two of the four seats. However, now the partys chances of winning the second seat seem bleak.

Five Congress MLAs have given their resignation to me, Trivedi told the house.

They are Pravin Maru from Gadhada, Pradyumansinh Jadeja from Abdasa, Soma Koli Patel from Limbdi, J V Kakadia from Dhari and Mangal Gavit from Dang, he said.

I have accepted their resignations, Trivedi said.

Of the five Congress legislators, Gavit submitted his resignation letter on Sunday, while the others quit their Assembly membership on Saturday.

Heated exchange of words took place between Congress MLAs and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and his deputy Nitin Patel as soon as the session began on Monday afternoon.

Congress MLAs Amit Chavda and Paresh Dhanani accused the ruling BJP of indulging in corrupt practices and being behind the resignations of the five legislators.

On the MLAs submitting their letters to him, Trivedi said it is their right to resign and his duty to accept their resignations.

"What should I do if someone comes to me on his own accord? It is the right of the MLAs to resign. I only have the duty to accept their resignations," he said.

Chavda, who is also state Congress president, accused Rupani of engaging in corruption and bribery, and for allegedly being behind the resignations of the five MLAs.

He referred to a newspaper report to back his claim.

"A newspaper claimed Rs 65 crore exchanged hands at the CM bungalow. Where did the money come from?" Chavda asked.

His party colleague and Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani said "'todona' (breaking) virus (a pun on coronavirus) created at Kamalam (Gujarat BJP headquarters) took away five political lives."