Junagadh: Former MLA of Manavadar and ex-minister Jawahar Chavda has signaled his rebellion against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which he joined in 2019. Chavda specifically targeted Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and tore the BJP symbol in a video statement posted on his social media handles. Mandaviya represents Porbandar Lok Sabha seat. Manavdar is part of this Lok Sabha seat area. Chavda has also removed the BJP symbol from his social media accounts and deleted all related posts.

Jawahar Chavda won the 2017 assembly elections on a Congress ticket from Manavadar but later resigned and joined the BJP. After winning the 2019 by-election in Manavdar as BJP candidate, he became the Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Fisheries in the Vijay Rupani cabinet. However, he had to resign as a minister along with entire cabinet including Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as per the party order. After receiving the BJP ticket in the 2022 assembly elections from Manavdar, he lost the seat to Congress candidate Arvind Ladani. Ladani then switched to the BJP and was given a ticket in the bypolls held recently with the Lok Sabha polls.

Unhappy with the ticket being given to Arvind Ladani, Chavda was completely absent from the campaign during the polls.  Chavda was absent from not just the by-poll of Manavdar assembly seat, but also from party’s Lok Sabha election campaign for Porbandar Lok Sabha seat. Meanwhile, Jawahar Chavda’s son allegedly held meetings to ensure Arvind Ladani’s defeat and worked for Congress candidate. However both Ladani and Mandaviya won the elections comfortably and managed to give lead to BJP in Manavdar seat.

Before the BJP could take any disciplinary action against Chavda for anti-party activities, he released a video in which he names Union Minister Mandaviya and give reply to him. Chavda in this video also can be seen removing the BJP symbol from the wall.

In the video, Chavda directly addressed Mansukh Mandaviya, asserting his achievements and unique identity, and criticizing the BJP for allegedly overshadowing his contributions.

Mansukh Mandaviya, during a recent program in Manavdar, had made indirect remarks about disgruntled leaders without naming anyone specifically. Chavda’s video response is believed to be aimed at Mandaviya’s comments. Political pandits believe Chavda is a step closer to rejoin Congress. DeshGujarat