On his 77th birthday, while addressing the mega gathering at Gandhinagar, former Chief Minister of Gujarat Shankersinh Vaghela said that Congress expelled him from the party 24 hours before his birthday, fearing that he might speak against the party.
Responding to the announcements made by Vaghela, AICC communications chief Randeep S Surjewala in his statement to ANI told that Congress did not expel Vaghela, it was his own decision to leave the party. He claimed that Vaghela had requested the high command to replace the current Gujarat Congress Chief, but these decisions cannot just be taken on an individual’s view point. These decisions are made by the party and the high command and since the leadership did not respond to Vaghela’s request he decided to quit the party.
No action was taken against Shankersingh Vaghela ji nor was he expelled.These are baseless arguments.Its his decision: RS Surjewala,Congress pic.twitter.com/C1PNfXWFA7
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2017
Vaghela ji wanted to replace the current Gujarat Congress chief. A party is always bigger than individuals: RS Surjewala,Congress
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2017
Surjewala further said that the party is bigger than any individual, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, and crores of congressmen work not just for power but also social justice, progress and a just, humane society against the autocracy of the few. Talking about the principles of the party he said Congress was not representative of individuals but ideology and each one needs to understand that interests of the party and its ideals are bigger then ambition of one person.
He finally said that “We respect Shankarsinh Vaghela. The Congress has always given him important positions of responsibility, we sincerely hope that he’ll continue to work for the party despite his decision to quit party posts.”
Vaghela on Friday had announced that “I’m freeing myself from Congress or any party from now, and I would immediately resign as the leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly and give up my membership of the House after the Rajya Sabha polls in the state scheduled for 8 August.”
While addressing the rally he also said that he will not be joining any party, and assured Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi that he would not break her trust by joining BJP. However according to report on NDTV Vaghela had held a meeting with BJP chief Amit Shah.