Congress splits in Gujarat as Vaghela resigns

Gandhinagar: The Congress party in Gujarat split today with former chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela calling it quits. 'Congress has thrown me out of the party 24 hours ago. Vinaash kale viprit buddhi (The brain works in reverse, when destruction is near),' ,Mr Vaghela said at a convention 'Sam-Samvedna Sammelan' (Convention for sensitivity to all), attended by a large gathering of his supporters from all over the state to commemorate his 77th birthday. Mr Vaghela even changed the profile status of his Twitter handle from the Leader of Opposition to former Chief Minister. 'I said that Ba retire thhay chhey, Bapu retire thataa nathi (Mother Sonia) can retire but Bapu cannot retire.

I am a worshipper of Lord Shiva and he has given me strength to digest even poison,' Mr Vaghela said. Mr Vaghela sulked for a long time and raising a dissident voice within and outside the party. The Congress party had accordingly advised its legislators and leaders not to attend the event as the platform could be used for political purpose and to criticise the party leadership. 'During my visit to Delhi to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, I had thanked her for all her support.

I had told her then that I may not be in Congress after some time, but I assured her that I will not go to BJP,' he said. Mr Vaghela also held a meeting with his supporter legislators at the MLA hostel in the state capital and urged them not to attend the convention as instructed by the Congress party. "I have requested them not to come as they still are Congress legislators. There were 15-20 legislators who support me," Mr Vaghela said. Huge hoardings, meanwhile, carrying Mr Vaghela’s larger than life size photograph and greeting him on his birthday were seen at strategic locations across the Ahmedabad city. (UNI)