In a notable setback for the opposition Congress on the brink of the imminent Lok Sabha elections, the Gujarat unit’s acting president, Ambarish Der, tendered his resignation from the party on Monday, expressing intentions to align with the ruling BJP on Tuesday.
Preceding Der’s declaration, Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil informed the media that the party’s disciplinary committee had, during a Sunday night meeting, suspended Der from all party responsibilities and revoked his primary membership for a six-year term due to perceived “anti-party activities.” Notably, Gohil’s announcement swiftly followed the airing of visuals on local TV channels, capturing the visit of Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president CR Paatil to former MLA Der’s residence in Ahmedabad that morning.
Swiftly after Gohil’s disclosure of the Congress’ actions, Der convened a press conference at his residence, asserting his lack of awareness about his suspension and declaring his intent to join the BJP at the state headquarters ‘Kamalam’ in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. Der, addressing reporters, cited the Congress leaders’ reluctance to visit the newly constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya as the primary reason for his departure from the party.
The 46-year-old former MLA contended that this return to the BJP would be akin to returning home, emphasizing his past affiliation with the party and his dedicated service during his youth. “I am oblivious to the Congress suspending me. Nonetheless, I’ve resigned from all positions, and the communication has already reached our high command via fax and email,” Der affirmed.
Paatil’s visit to Der’s residence, ostensibly to inquire about the well-being of Der’s ailing mother, prompted the decision to sever ties with the Congress, according to Der. Without explicitly naming individuals, he stressed that a political party should not emulate an NGO, urging leaders to recognize the distinction. Der lamented the Congress leaders’ failure to visit the grand Ram Temple, arguing that it demonstrated a lack of fairness. “I had raised this concern previously. I am not casting aspersions, but a political party must show reverence to the beliefs of all. Failing to do so led me to resign from the Congress,” he explained.
Der, who previously represented the Rajula seat in Amreli district from 2017 to 2022 as a Congress MLA, defeated BJP’s formidable Hira Solanki, the younger sibling of state minister Parshottam Solanki. Despite his defeat to arch-rival Hira Solanki in the 2022 Gujarat assembly polls, Der retained his position as the Congress working president. He expressed his intention to join the BJP without any expectations, affirming that the ruling party had made no promises to him. Speculation circulates that Hira Solanki may vacate the Rajula MLA seat, with Der potentially becoming the BJP candidate in the ensuing bypoll. On this prospect, Der claimed ignorance.