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In a significant blow to the Congress party in Gujarat, Chatursinh Javanji Chavda, widely known as C J Chavda, tendered his resignation as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to Speaker Shankar Chaudhary on Friday. Chavda’s departure adds to a series of defections that the Congress has been grappling with in the state.
A senior party leader and the Congress’s prominent Kshatriya face in northern Gujarat, Chavda represented the Vijapur constituency as its elected MLA in the 2022 Assembly polls. The 65-year-old leader, known for his loyalty to former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, submitted his resignation, reducing the Congress’s strength in the Assembly to 15 MLAs.
Chavda is anticipated to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in February. It is reported that Gujarat BJP spokesperson Jayrajsinh Jadeja, who shares a close association with Chavda, played a pivotal role in orchestrating his resignation. Jadeja is also a member of a panel established by the Gujarat BJP to facilitate the induction of members from other parties into the BJP.
In a media statement following his resignation, Chavda expressed his dissatisfaction with the Congress, citing instances such as the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav and the surgical strike, where he believed Congress statements had a detrimental impact on the country. He emphasized his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, comparing them to Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during the freedom struggle. Chavda stated that he does not want to be an obstacle and decided to “go with the flow instead of going against it.”
Regarding his potential move to the BJP, Chavda mentioned consulting his supporters and the people of Vijapur and pledged to “act as per their command.” His decision to resign and the subsequent anticipation of joining the BJP marks another setback for the Congress in Gujarat, as the political landscape continues to witness shifts and realignments.