Umesh Makwana, AAP MLA from Botad, Gujarat, has resigned from all his posts, alleging discrimination within the party. He expressed his displeasure in a letter to Arvind Kejriwal.
Umesh Makwana: While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured a victory in the Visavadar seat in the recent Gujarat by-elections, a spark of discontent has also emerged within the party. Umesh Makwana, MLA from Botad, has sent a new political signal by resigning from all his party posts.
News of Resignation from Botad Amidst Visavadar Victory
The Aam Aadmi Party certainly secured a victory in the Visavadar by-election in Gujarat, but amidst this, Umesh Makwana, the MLA from Botad, has resigned from his positions as Chief Whip in the Assembly and National Joint Secretary of the party. However, he clarified that he is not stepping down from his MLA post and will continue to work as a general party worker for AAP.
Why Did He Resign? What Did Umesh Makwana Say?
MLA Umesh Makwana attributed his resignation to discrimination within the party and a compromise on its ideology. He stated that AAP is now straying from its original ideology and that caste balance is being ignored in Gujarat.
He stated that the party put all its efforts into ensuring the victory of Patidar leader Gopal Italia in Visavadar, while the Dalit candidate on the Kadi seat received neither support nor funding. That candidate had to contest the election by taking a loan, which raises questions about the party's alleged policy of equality.
Letter to Arvind Kejriwal
Umesh Makwana wrote a letter to former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP's National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal regarding his resignation. In this letter, he stated that he had been serving as National Joint Secretary and Chief Whip in the Gujarat Assembly for the past two and a half years. However, due to his inability to actively work in social service, he now wishes to be relieved of all his responsibilities.
Also Targeted BJP and Congress
In the press conference, Umesh Makwana not only questioned his own party's policies but also criticized both BJP and Congress. He stated that casteism dominates Gujarat's politics and this trend has always kept the backward communities marginalized. Makwana said that BJP has not yet appointed any leader from the Koli community as Chief Minister or State President. Meanwhile, Congress, despite being out of power, has also failed to become a b voice for the backward classes.
Major Hint Regarding 2027 Elections
Umesh Makwana also hinted at his future plans. He stated that he would hold discussions with leaders and members of backward communities before the 2027 assembly elections and only then decide on his next course of action.
He also mentioned that no decision has been made yet regarding the formation of a new party, but it will be considered when the time is right. This statement indicates that he might take a significant political step in the upcoming elections.
Dissatisfaction with Visavadar and Kadi By-election Results
Recently, by-elections were held for the Visavadar and Kadi assembly seats in Gujarat. While AAP's Patidar candidate Gopal Italia won the Visavadar seat, the Dalit candidate for the Kadi seat received no substantial support, and the party finished third. Makwana alleges that the party disregarded social balance and prioritized only one specific community. This, he claims, does not align with AAP's ideology of 'equality and justice'.
