Congress MLA and Other Backward Classes (OBC) leader Alpesh Thakor stepped down from all posts of the Congress party on Wednesday, alleging discrimination by the party. He added that he would not be joining the BJP. He was flanked at the ensuing press conference by two more Congress MLAs, Dhavalsinh Jhala (Bayad constituency) and Bharat Thakor (Bechraji constituency).
However, Bharat Thakor clarified that he had not resigned from the party and will campaign for both the Congress and Thakor Sena candidate in Banaskantha and Patan. Congress has fielded co-operative dairy veteran Parthi Bhatol, a Chaudhary, from Banaskantha and Jagdish Thakor from Patan. Dhavalsinh did not respond to DNA's calls to clarify his position. Alpesh Thakor added that none of them would resign as MLA. Speculation about Thakor's move had been circulating for a couple of days and the drama came to an end on Wednesday evening when his resignation letter to Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda erupted on social media.
"My sena told me that I should not stay where I am insulted, ignored and betrayed," the letter said. "So I am resigning from all party posts. The impoverished youth of my community is angry and upset as they were ignored and insulted. For me, Thakor Sena is supreme."
Later, while addressing the media, Thakor said that no one in the party paid heed to the needs of the Thakors as they are a poor community. "Right from the district level to state leaders, even state in-charge Rajeev Satav did not pay heed to our sensitivities," he said. He also alleged that nomination tickets for election are sold in the party and that he had helped his former party win 43 seats in the Legislative Assembly in 2017.
For the upcoming polls, he said volunteers of the Thakor Sena will canvas for independent Thakor candidates in Patan and Mehsana constituencies.
On his part, Chavda said he also found out about Thakor's resignation through social media. "We have not received a physical copy of the letter yet," he said. "Once we get it, the high command will decide on our future course of action." He termed his former colleague's decision as unfortunate and the language used in the letter inappropriate. "This is an insult to all Congress workers," he said. "The Thakor community is mature and being given due respect in the party. We should take part in social reforms beyond political lines."
Rebutting Thakor's allegations that he was ignored, Chavda pointed out that he was made AICC secretary, co-in-charge of Bihar, member of Public Accounts Committee in Legislative Assembly and member of all major seven committees for Lok Sabha elections including convener of campaign committee in Gujarat. "Once one is in a political party, one has to abide by its philosophy and discipline," said Chavda. "If one expects all ticket distribution to be done as per one's wish, is not practicable. The interest of party supersedes all individual ambition."
