Umesh Makwana, an MLA from Botad in Gujarat representing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has resigned from his post as the National Joint Secretary of the party. Following his resignation, he remarked, "I have served in various capacities within the BJP for 20 years. At a time when AAP was barely recognized in Gujarat, I decided to break away from the ruling BJP and join the Aam Aadmi Party. Here, I feel we have deviated from the principles of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. This deviation is why I have resigned from all my positions within the AAP."
Makwana further mentioned his plans to remain active as a party worker and his intent to engage with the people of Botad. He expressed interest in discussing with others the possibility of forming a new political party.
Makwana Suspended from Party
Following his resignation from party posts, Umesh Makwana was suspended from the Aam Aadmi Party for five years, accused of anti-party activities and behavior against public interest. AAP leader Isudan Gadhvi stated, "Complaints regarding anti-party activities led to the suspension of Umesh Makwana. We have received several complaints from the people of Botad, which compelled the party to take strict action. The BJP is indulging in dirty politics. Post the Visavadar results, the BJP seems rattled."
The BJP's attempted sabotage of the Aam Aadmi Party through Umesh Makwana is seen as a miscalculation. A challenge has been thrown to Makwana and the BJP for a by-election to gauge public sentiment.
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Shock Within 72 Hours of By-election Result
Within 72 hours of AAP's victory from the Visavadar seat, Umesh Makwana resigned from party positions. He cited the party's drift from its original ideology, stating it was ignoring backward and Dalit communities similar to the BJP approach. Distancing from the ideologies of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh led him to tender his resignation from party posts. Nevertheless, he affirmed his commitment to continue as an activist and legislator.
Following Gopal Italia's victory, it is expected he will be a significant presence in the assembly, naturally causing discomfort for Makwana. As a calculated move to exert pressure on the party, Makwana announced at a press conference his decision to resign from all positions except his MLA post.
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'AAP Mimicking BJP...
In an exclusive conversation with Aaj Tak, Umesh Makwana remarked, "Despite being made a whip, I wasn't included in strategic discussions nor were my insights considered. I left the BJP due to injustices against the OBC community, where significant positions were inaccessible to them. Now, similar patterns are emerging within the Aam Aadmi Party."
He further elaborated that returning to the BJP is not on the table. Instead, he intends to consult with the people of Botad regarding his resignation. Should he decide to resign, he will consider contesting as an independent or assess opportunities within different parties based on societal feedback.
Notably, the Aam Aadmi Party recently honored its newly elected leader Gopal Italia in Delhi and initiated strategies to reinforce its presence in Gujarat. Within just 24 hours, the resignation of its whip has dealt a blow to the party. However, no official comment has been made by the party regarding this development. Observers are keen to see when Umesh Makwana officially leaves the party and his subsequent actions. Will the Aam Aadmi Party manage to pacify its disgruntled MLA and avert his resignation?
