Gujarat Congress’s Working President Ambrish Der quits party; to join BJP on Tuesday

Amreli: Gujarat Congress’s Working President Ambrish Der today resigned from the party. He sent his resignation around noon. Der is a former legislator from the Rajula assembly seat in the Amreli district. He hails from the Ahir community. Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Gujarat chief CR Patil today visited Der’s Science City, Ahmedabad-based residence to inquire about the health of his mother. Der will rejoin the BJP at around noon on March 5 at the State BJP headquarters Shri Kamalam. Der said a public function will also held in Rajula assembly constituency over his induction to the BJP.

Der lost the Gujarat assembly election in 2022 by a margin of over 10,000 votes. He has been in active politics for last over two decades, in different roles such as a cooperative bank, local civic body representative, and MLA. State BJP chief CR Patil had publicly invited Der to join BJP ahead of the Assembly elections in 2022.

Der’s guide in the party is Porbandar MLA Arjun Modhwadia, a former State Congress president. Recently speculations were rife about the possibility of Modhwadia joining the BJP. However, Modhwadia had refuted such speculations. Both Modhwadia and Der had openly criticized Congress leadership’s decision to stay away from Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir’s Pran Pratishtha function disrespecting the invitation for the same. Der refused to reply to a media query about whether his Guru Arjun Modhwadia is also going to join BJP soon.

Der today while speaking to media persons repeated that he was unhappy with the party’s central leadership decision to boycott the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir’s Pran Pratishtha event. Der also said that the party should run as a political party and not like an NGO. Der said he is not joining the BJP with any pre-conditions.

Meanwhile, the State Congress claimed it has suspended Ambrish Der for anti-party activities. However, Der said he was not communicated regarding this and he had resigned an hour and a half ago.  It’s worth noting that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is coming to Gujarat on 7 March with his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.  The country will witness general elections of Lok Sabha in April/May this year. DeshGujarat