After months of speculation, Leader of the Opposition in Gujarat Shankersinh Vaghela on Friday resigned from the Congress.
Announcing the decision at a massive gathering to mark his 77th birthday, Mr. Vaghela said he had resigned as Leader of the Opposition and would resign as legislator after the Rajya Sabha elections.
However, he ruled out joining the BJP, which he had split in the mid 1990s.
Mr.Vaghela slammed the Congress leadership and culture while asking his supporters, including legislators, to decide their future.
A veteran of Gujarat politics, Mr. Vaghela has been at odds with the Congress high command for “ignoring his suggestions” and not allowing him free rein to take on the BJP in the Assembly polls slated for later this year.
“You don’t want to fight yourself, nor will you allow anyone to fight because you have taken supari from BJP,” Mr. Vaghela said, taking on the Congress leadership, without naming anybody. “It is my destiny that I became victim of political conspiracy, first in the BJP and now in the Congress. I have always fought against injustice,” he said, indicating that a few leaders in the Congress conspired to ensure his expulsion.
“I had told Soniaji mein aapka bharosa nahi todunga (I will not betray your trust). I went to meet her, told her “Thanks a lot madam for everything. I may not remain with the party after sometime, but don’t worry I am not going anywhere.” I am not joining BJP,” he said.
He said the party leadership did not even listen to the MLAs or try to resolve the issues they raised with the high command.
“For three years, you have not been able to appoint a president for Ahmedabad city Congress. This is not how a political party can be run,” he said.