Ahmedabad, June 26 (IANS) Botad MLA Umesh Makwana has announced his resignation from all positions within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Gujarat, accusing the party of discrimination against members of the OBCs. However, he clarified that he is not resigning from his MLA seat.
Makwana submitted his resignation from the posts of AAP鈥檚 Gujarat Assembly Whip as well as the party鈥檚 National Joint Secretary, stating that his decision was based on long-standing internal bias within the party鈥檚 structure.
鈥淭he Aam Aadmi Party, like the BJP and Congress, has shown step-motherly treatment to the people of the Backward Classes,鈥 Makwana said in a statement.
鈥淎ll political parties, without exception, have been unfair to OBC communities,鈥 he added.
Makwana, who has been one of AAP鈥檚 more prominent OBC faces in Gujarat, claimed that despite repeated attempts to raise concerns over representation and internal equity, his voice was ignored.
On this, AAP鈥檚 Isudan Gadhvi posted, 鈥淯mesh Makwana is suspended from the party for five years for anti-party and anti-Gujarat activities.鈥
Makwana, a B.Ed from Bhavnagar University, is a social worker and philanthropist, known locally for establishing primary and secondary schools.
He is also known for distributing over 600,000 food packets during the COVID鈥19 lockdown along with other AAP MLAs under the 鈥楳anavta Seva Rath鈥 initiative.
Belonging to the Koli community, he runs a construction and general trading business, and declared assets worth around Rs 85 lakh with liabilities of Rs 28 lakh in his 2022 election affidavit.
High on civic engagement, his legislative record shows nearly 97 per cent attendance and 24 Assembly debates, far above state averages.
Political observers believe this move could trigger tensions within AAP鈥檚 Gujarat unit, which is still building its grassroots presence in the state.
Makwana鈥檚 exit from organisational roles is being seen as a blow to the party鈥檚 efforts to consolidate OBC support ahead of future electoral battles.
Makwana鈥檚 continued position as a sitting MLA may indicate his intention to either remain as an Independent or align with another party in the near future.
Meanwhile, the AAP delivered a strong electoral performance by retaining the Visavadar Assembly seat in Gujarat鈥檚 bypolls held on June 19, with senior leader Gopal Italia defeating the BJP鈥檚 Kirit鈥疨atel by a margin of 17,554 votes (75,942 to 58,388).