Gujarat AAP MLA Umesh Makwana resigns from party posts, alleges caste bias; suspended hours later for ‘anti-party' activity

Indian Express

5 hours ago

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Botad, Umesh Makwana, resigned from his party posts on Thursday, levelling allegations of caste-based discrimination against the party.
Makwana, who was AAP's Whip in the Gujarat Assembly and a national joint secretary, said he would consult his constituents before deciding whether to resign as MLA. He had said he would continue as an AAP worker, but hours later, the party announced his suspension for five years, citing 'anti-party' and 'anti-Gujarat' activities.
The development comes shortly after AAP's Gopal Italia won the Visavadar assembly bypoll.
Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar, Makwana—who belongs to the Koli community, classified as OBC—alleged that AAP, like other political parties, 'fails to support backward communities beyond elections'.
'Whether it is AAP, BJP or Congress, all use backward communities as vote banks. After elections, leaders from these communities are sidelined,' he said.
Claiming that upper caste leaders are prioritised for prominent positions within AAP, Makwana said, 'The party does not raise its voice for backward communities. When it comes to giving key posts, preference is given to the swarna samaj (upper castes).'
He added, 'I have sent my resignation directly to Arvind Kejriwal (the party's national convener) on WhatsApp. But I will continue working as an AAP worker.'
On whether he would quit the Assembly as well, he said, 'I will consult the people of Botad. They trusted me with this position, and I will not do anything that betrays that trust.'
Makwana denied that his resignation was linked to Gopal Italia potentially being appointed party Whip. 'I have not received any such message from the party,' he said.
Citing recent bypolls in Kadi and Visavadar, Makwana accused the party of caste-based bias in campaign support. 'Our Kadi candidate, a Dalit, fought the election after taking a Rs 10 lakh loan. He got no support. In contrast, Gopal Italia, a Patidar, had the entire party machinery behind him. Crores were spent in Visavadar. This discrimination will not be tolerated,' he alleged.
'You keep Babasaheb's photo, but if you don't follow his ideals, you can't do politics in his name,' he added.
In response, Gujarat AAP president Isudan Gadhvi said the party had suspended Makwana for five years. 'We had been receiving complaints of corruption from Botad against him. He was warned multiple times. The leadership has now taken a final decision,' he said.
Gadhvi also alleged the BJP was attempting to destabilise AAP by poaching its leaders. 'If Makwana has the courage, he should resign as MLA and recontest. I challenge the BJP to give him a ticket and try to win Botad,' he said.
AAP spokesperson Yogesh Jadvani rejected Makwana's allegations of bias, saying the party had given him multiple opportunities. 'Within 15 days of joining AAP, he was made head of the OBC/SC/ST cell, later became a state spokesperson, then an MLA in 2022, national joint secretary, and Whip. He was also fielded from Bhavnagar in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. AAP gave Umeshbhai his political identity,' Jadvani said.
He added, 'When the Koli community needed him, he was often absent. Other AAP leaders, from both upper and backward castes, stepped in. He is now speaking the BJP's language.'
On the allegation that AAP neglected its candidate in Kadi, Jadvani said, 'The Kadi candidate hasn't made any complaint. Umeshbhai was assigned responsibility for Kadi, but he did not remain present during the campaign.'
Responding to Gadhvi's accusations, BJP Gujarat media convener Yagnesh Dave said, 'Isudanbhai is in the habit of blaming BJP for everything. He should look inward and understand why people are leaving his party. BJP has 162 seats and doesn't need to poach MLAs. He should hold himself accountable.'