Gujarat tribal leader quits BJP, slams govt for ignoring Constitution

New Delhi: Gujarat tribal leader Mahesh Vasava, a former MLA from the Dediyapada constituency, resigned from the BJP on April 14, expressing his dissatisfaction with the way the country is being governed. On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, Vasava criticized the government for not adhering to the Constitution, stating, “The country is not being run according to the Constitution.” He also emphasized that marginalized communities, including Adivasis, Dalits, OBCs, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and other poor classes, will unite against the RSS and BJP’s ideology.

Vasava, who joined the BJP in March 2024 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, was the son of the prominent tribal leader Chhotu Vasava, founder of the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP). He alleged that after the election results, BJP leaders had intentionally distanced themselves from him, not inviting him to any party or public meetings.

“I will now work for the BTP, and a political earthquake will come. Bharuch will be the epicenter,” Vasava declared.

The resignation was quickly criticized by the opposition Congress, with its media convener, Manish Doshi, claiming that it reflected the BJP’s anti-Adivasi stance. He added that Vasava’s departure underscored the party’s disregard for the Constitution.