Asha Patel is a first time MLA and had turned out to be a giant killer after she defeated seven-time legislator and former minister Narayan Patel in Unjha constituency which also covers PM Modi's hometown of Vadnagar.
In a major setback to Congress in Gujarat ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Dr Asha Patel, a woman MLA from Mehsana district's Unjha constituency, resigned from the party and state Assembly on Saturday.
Patel is a first time MLA and had turned out to be a giant killer after she defeated seven-time legislator and former minister Narayan Patel in assembly elections held in December 2017. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hometown Vadnagar also falls under the Unjha constituency and BJP's loss on the seat was a huge embarrassment for the party.
In her resignation letter addressed to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Patel said that his leadership has failed and claimed that the party is only doing vote bank politics and dividing people on the caste lines.
She also hailed Modi government's initiative to provide 10% quota for poor from the general category.
Here is full text of Dr Asha Patel's resignation letter sent to Mr Gandhi:
(Reported by Chintan Acharya)
1. 'Your leadership has failed, factionalism in Gujarat Congress at its peak'
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"I would like to inform you with a heavy heart that I have been working as a member of the Congress party for a long time and have represented the party at state and national level on core issues but the lack of coordination between the party organisation and elected wing could not be achieved even after a lot of efforts. The leadership of Rahul also has failed. Factionalism in party is at its peak and state level leadership also failed to manage it. They have been not paying heed to the issues of common people for whom we are fighting. Since the party doesn't respond to our efforts, the issues remained unresolved."
2. 'PM Modi gave 10% quota to poor, Congress dividing people on caste and religious lines'
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"Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to provide justice to all sections of society by giving 10% quota for economically weaker section of general category but the Congress is only interested in keeping people divided on the basis of caste and religion."
3. 'Difficult to work as elected representative of Congress'
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"It has become difficult to work as an elected representative of the Congress under these circumstances. I, therefore, resign as legislator of the party and from all the posts in the organisation. I have no right to work as an MLA when I do not get support from organisation for public interest."
4. 'Felt suffocated in Congress'
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Talking to mediapersons at her MLA quarters in Gandhinagar, Dr Patel said, "I was feeling suffocated in the Congress and nothing is well in the party. I am not joining the BJP and have not decided the future course of action yet. I will make an announcement soon."
5. Resignation after meeting with CM Rupani?
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Dr Patel, a PhD, was considered a good speaker and would target the ruling party BJP in her speech in the house during assembly sessions, especially on issues of women and education. Sources said she had recently met Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and decided to leave the Congress.
6. Alpesh Thakore, some other Congress MLAs in touch with BJP
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Besides her, there are half a dozen Congress MLAs who had held meetings with Rupani. Alpesh Thakor, Congress MLA from Radhanpur, Bayad MLA Dhavalsinh Zala and Bechraji MLA Bharat Thakor were among those who met the Chief Minister earlier this week.
