2024 Lok Sabha polls | Gujarat Congress working president Ambarish Der quits party; set to join BJP

Ambarish Der resigns from Gujarat Congress, to join BJP; cites party's refusal to visit Ram temple as reason.

In a setback to the Opposition Congress ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, its Gujarat unit working president Ambarish Der resigned from the party on March 4 and said he will join the ruling BJP on March 5.

Just ahead of his announcement, Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil told reporters that during a meeting held on March 3 night, the party’s disciplinary committee suspended Mr. Der from all party posts and as primary member of the Congress for a period of six years for his “anti-party activities”.

Notably, Mr. Gohil’s statement came immediately after local TV channels aired visuals of Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president C.R. Paatil visiting former MLA Der’s residence in Ahmedabad in the morning.

Within minutes of Mr. Gohil’s announcement of the Congress’ action, Mr. Der called a press conference at his residence, saying he was not aware when he was suspended by the party and announced he will join the BJP at its State headquarters ‘Kamalam’ in Gandhinagar on March 5.

Mr. Der told reporters the main reason for leaving the Congress was the party leaders’ decision not to visit the newly constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The 46-year-old former MLA claimed it will be his “home-coming” as he was with the BJP in the past and worked extensively for it when he was young.

“I am not aware when I was suspended by the Congress. But, I have tendered my resignation from all posts and it has already reached our high-command through fax and email,” Mr. Der told reporters.