Ketan Inamdar, a three-term MLA representing the Savli seat in Gujarat's Vadodara district, has resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) citing his "inner voice" as the reason for his decision. Inamdar, who has been associated with the party for over a decade, submitted his resignation to Legislative Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary.
In his statement to the media, Inamdar clarified that his resignation is not a "pressure tactic" but rather a reflection of his concern for the welfare of long-standing party workers who, according to him, have not been adequately acknowledged by the leadership. He emphasized the importance of self-respect and the need to address the grievances of party workers.
Despite his resignation from the BJP, Inamdar expressed his commitment to support the party's candidate, Ranjan Bhatt, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Vadodara. He affirmed his dedication to working tirelessly to ensure Bhatt's victory, stating that his resignation is a decision guided by his conscience.
This isn't the first time Inamdar has taken such a step. In 2020, he had previously announced his resignation as an MLA, citing similar concerns about the neglect of his constituency and party workers. Following his resignation, Inamdar highlighted the frustration felt by many BJP MLAs and their grievances of being overlooked by senior government officials and ministers.
Inamdar's political journey began with his victory as an independent candidate in the 2012 Assembly elections. He later joined the BJP and secured victory in the 2017 and 2022 polls.
The BJP, which currently holds a significant majority in the Gujarat Assembly with 156 out of 182 seats, will face the challenge of retaining its dominance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. All 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat are scheduled for polling on May 7, with the results expected to be announced on June 4.
