Gandhinagar: Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela speaking at a rally in Gandhinagar. The former Gujarat CM said he has been thrown out of the Congress.

"I was sacked by the party 24 hours ago," he said at the rally to celebrate his 77th birthday today. He says he is 77 not out and believes in destiny.

"I would say, but vinaash kal vipreet buddhi (reason turns scarce when luck runs out). I have been given the power to digest poison by Lord Shankar. Have never been interested in power or post," the septuagenarian added.

This will come as a blessing for the ruling BJP in Gujarat ahead of the November assembly polls.

Vaghela, a BJP rebel had merged his Rashtriya Janata Party with Congress 17 years back.