Another Gujarat Congress MLA quits party, Assembly

Ahmedabad, March 11 (IANS) In a jolt to the Congress a day before it holds its Working Committee meeting and a rally here, another of its Gujarat legislators resigned from the party and the Assembly on Monday.

Vallabh Dharaviya, who represents Jamnagar (Rural), submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi in Gandhinagar on Monday.

"He (Dharaviya) has stated that he has resigned on his own volition, without any pressure. I have accepted his resignation and now he is no more a legislator," Trivedi told reporters.

Dharaviya is the third legislator in last four days to leave the Congress and resign as legislator. Last week, four-time legislator from Manavadar, Jawahar Chavda and Dhrangardra legislator, Parshottam Sapariya had quit. 

Both have since joined ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, with Chavda sworn in as a Cabinet minister in the Vijay Rupani government last week.

Dharaviya is said to be miffed over his chances of being considered for Jamnagar Parliamentary seat receding, as Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel, who has announced his decision to join Congress on March 12 in presence of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, may be fielded from there.