Gujarat Rajya Sabha By-Elections 2019: Alpesh Thakor Resigns as Congress MLA After Cross-Voting in Bypolls

Gandhinagar, July 5: Rebel Congress MLA from Gujarat’s Radhanpur Alpesh Thakor on Friday resigned as party legislature. Alpesh Thakor had quit party in April before the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Talking to media Thakor said, “I joined Congress trusting Rahul Gandhi, but unfortunately he did nothing for us. We were insulted again and again. So, I have resigned from the post of Congress MLA.” Alpesh Thakor Meets Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel, Sparks Speculation of Joining BJP.

According to reports, Thakor and another disgruntled MLA Dhavalsinh Zala cross-voted in the by-elections for the two seats of the Rajya Sabha. After casting the vote, Thakor said that he had listened to his inner voice and voted after considering the national interests. He also also said that the Congress has betrayed them.

Alpesh Thakor's Statement:

Zala, Bayad MLA of Congress also lashed out at the grand old party. He said that the Congress was insulting him again and again.Zala stated, "eople from Congress party were insulting us and people again and again. Leaders were not listening to small workers of the party. Considering everything, I have resigned from the post of Congress MLA." I Will Not Join BJP, Says Alpesh Thakor.

Zala's Statement:

Meanwhile, bypolls for the two Rajya Sabha seats in Gujarat started on Friday. One candidate each from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are in the fray. The BJP has fielded external affairs minister S Jaishankar and OBC leader Juglaji Thakor, while the Congress has nominated Chandrika Chudasama and Gaurav Pandya.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2019 04:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).