New Delhi: Pradipsinh Vaghela, considered one of the most powerful general secretaries of the BJP in Gujarat, has resigned from the post.
Party sources said Vaghela put in his papers last week.
While the state leadership has remained tight-lipped about the reason behind Vaghela’s resignation, BJP state general secretary Rajni Patel held a press conference in Gandhinagar Saturday where he confirmed the development.
Later, speaking to ThePrint, he said, “I came to know only recently about Vaghela’s desire to resign. As far as I know, he wanted to resign, and the party accepted his decision.”
Party sources said Vaghela did so after his name came up in an alleged land scam. This also comes amid an alleged defamation campaign against BJP state unit chief C.R. Paatil.
Confirming his resignation, Vaghela, who was in-charge of the party’s state headquarters, told the local media in Ahmedabad Saturday that he will come out of the controversy unscathed.
A party source said to ThePrint, “A few days back, C.R. Paatil conveyed to Vaghela to resign over allegations of his involvement in a land scam. The party’s top leadership also deliberated upon the issue. It is not yet known if Vaghela was also a part of the alleged rebellion against Paatil. But since he was in a powerful position and also in-charge of the headquarters, it was important to maintain the sanctity of the party office.”
ThePrint reached Vaghela and Paatil for comment over phone but did not get a response. This report will be updated when they respond.
This is the second time a BJP office-bearer in the state has lost his post in the last four months. In April, state unit chief C.R. Paatil relieved general secretary Bhargav Bhatt of his duties as general secretary. Vaghela, Vinod Chavda and Rajni Patel were the other three general secretaries in Gujarat BJP.
Bhatt later told ThePrint that he was “not given any reason for resignation. Once the party asked me to resign, I did so without asking for reasons”.
Meanwhile, the BJP has been cracking down on those allegedly involved in maligning Paatil’s image. A senior leader of Gujarat unit told ThePrint, “Lok Sabha election is approaching. Backstabbing and infighting so close to the general elections is not good for the party…no propaganda campaign will be tolerated here…there is suspicion on a few leaders for leaking information (to the press) but an internal investigation will fix the issue.”
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Defamation campaign?
Earlier this week, three people were arrested by the Surat Crime Branch on a First Information Report (FIR) by Sandeep Desai, party MLA from the Choryasi constituency, who alleged they were defaming Paatil. The trio had allegedly distributed leaflets blaming Paatil for misappropriation of party funds.
In a similar case last month, one Jinendra Shah was arrested by the Surat Crime Branch in a case related to defaming and tarnishing Paatil’s image.
Last month, family members of local BJP leader Alpesh Limbachiya were arrested for allegedly sending an anonymous letter to the party leadership, accusing Vadodara mayor Nilesh Rathod of corruption. Soon after, Limbachiya resigned as the leader of the party in the Vadodara Municipal Corportation.
(Edited by Smriti Sinha)
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