Shankersinh Vaghela resigns as Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly

Veteran leader Shankersinh Vaghela, who quit the Congress two days ago, today resigned as Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly.

He sent his resignation letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

In his letter shared with the media, the former chief minister alleged that he was forced to take this “tough decision” as some Congress leaders were conspiring against him ahead of the Assembly polls, expected to be held in Gujarat in December.

On July 21, Vaghela on his 77th birthday had announced to quit the Congress at a public gathering of his supporters.

Vaghela, who joined the Congress in 1998, claimed that just like some Congress leaders conspired against him in 2009, when he lost Godhara (Panchmahal) Lok Sabha seat, similar attempts were made to oust him from the party in recent times.

“As I can see right now that once again history is repeating itself, as a well-planned conspiracy within the party is at work for ousting me during the forthcoming elections. Hence, I strongly feel that I should not remain in the party at the cost of my dignity and self-respect,” he said in the letter.

Vaghela said since he has also decided to resign as the sitting Congress MLA of Kapadwanj seat, …read more