Denied ticket, Kodinar MLA Jethabhai Solanki quits

BJP MLA from Kodinar in Saurashtra, Jethabhai Solanki, resigned from the party and as a legislator on Saturday. Solanki’s resignation came after he was reportedly told he was not getting a ticket.

Solanki submitted his resignation as MLA and parliamentary secretary to Speaker Ramanlal Vora. While he resigned only in the evening, his resignation letter was widely circulated on social media since afternoon.

Talking to media persons after resigning, Solanki accused the state government of failing to act on issues faced by the Dalit community.

“Whenever I discussed Dalit issues with the government, I was assured of action; but nothing has been done. (Then chief minister) Anandiben Patel made many good decisions for the Dalit community. I feel that was why she had go to,” he said.

Referring to former MP Dinu Bogha Solanki, who is an accused in RTI activist Amit Jethava’s murder, Solanki said there were many criminals in the party.

“This is why I decided not to contest elections nor remain a member of the BJP,” he said, adding he had not yet decided on joining the Congress.

Solanki later went to Gujarat BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar and resigned from the party.