Umesh Makwana, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Botad, was suspended by the party for five years on Thursday after he resigned from all posts, stating that he will continue to be a worker of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. Makwana submitted his resignation in a letter to party chief Kejriwal, informing him of his decision. The decision to suspend Makwana was announced by the party's state chief, Isudan Gadhvi.
Makwana suspended over anti-party activities
In a post on X, AAP's Gujarat president Isudan Gadhvi wrote, "Umesh Makwana has been suspended from the party for five years for engaging in anti-party and anti-Gujarat activities."
In his resignation letter in Hindi, Makwana wrote, "I have been serving as the National Joint Secretary of the Aam Aadmi Party for the past two and a half years. Alongside this, I have also served as the Chief Whip of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Gujarat Assembly. At present, due to a decrease in my ability to engage in social service, I am resigning from all positions within the Aam Aadmi Party. I will continue to work for the party as a grassroots worker. I request to be relieved from all posts and responsibilities."
Blow to AAP despite bypoll win
Makwana's departure comes as a blow to AAP, further souring the party's Gujarat bypolls victory sentiment. The results of the by-elections for five Assembly seats across Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, and Kerala were announced a few days ago.
In Gujarat’s Visavadar seat, Aam Aadmi Party's Gopal Italia emerged victorious.
2022 Gujarat Assembly polls
Umesh Makwana won the Botad constituency in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections by defeating Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Ghanshyam Virani by a margin of 2,779 votes. Makwana received 80,581 votes, while Virani managed to get 77,802 votes.
The Aam Aadmi Party won five seats with 41,12,057 votes and a vote share of nearly 13 per cent. The party won Dediapada, Gariadhar, Visavadar and Jamjodhpur constituencies apart from Botad
