Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president Isudan Gadhvi on Thursday suspended Botad MLA Umesh Makwana from the party for five years, citing repeated complaints of corruption and anti-party activities.
The decision follows internal tensions and comes shortly after Makwana resigned from all his party posts earlier in the day.
In a strongly worded statement, Gadhvi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politically exploiting Makwana following its recent defeat in the Visavadar by-election.
He claimed Makwana had been neglecting his constituency and spending more time in Gandhinagar, allowing the BJP to take advantage of the situation.
“We were receiving continuous complaints of corruption against Umesh Makwana from Botad. He spent more time in Gandhinagar than in his constituency. Once the BJP got wind of this, they played dirty politics and used it to their advantage. After losing Visavadar, the BJP became desperate and began using Makwana against the party. That’s why we took strict action,” Gadhvi told reporters at a press conference.
“Anyone who acts against the party or the public will face consequences. We have suspended Umesh Makwana for five years. I challenge both the BJP and Umesh Makwana — resign first, then try winning the Botad seat again,” he added.
Gadhvi also confirmed the suspension via a post on the social media platform X, stating, “Umesh Makwana has been suspended from the party for five years for indulging in anti-party and anti-Gujarat activities.”
Earlier in the day, Makwana had announced his resignation from all AAP organisational posts, citing a drop in his ability to serve socially.
“At present, my social service is on the decline, so I am resigning from all posts within the Aam Aadmi Party. I will continue to serve the party as a worker,” he stated in his resignation letter.
Speaking to the media agency after stepping down, Makwana expressed dissatisfaction with the direction AAP had taken, alleging it was straying from the ideology of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
“I worked with the BJP in various roles for 20 years. At a time when no one even recognised AAP in Gujarat, I left the ruling BJP and joined the Aam Aadmi Party. Today, I feel the party is no longer adhering to Dr Ambedkar’s principles, which is why I’ve resigned from all party posts,” he said.
Makwana added that he plans to consult people in Botad about potentially launching a new political outfit. “I will go among the people of Botad and meet several individuals to discuss whether or not to form a separate party,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, AAP candidate Gopal Italia secured a win in the Visavadar seat in the recent Gujarat by-elections, while the BJP’s Rajendrakumar (Rajubhai) Daneshwar Chavda won from Kadi.
The Visavadar seat became vacant after the resignation of Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai. The constituency is part of the Junagadh district and falls under the Junagadh Lok Sabha seat.
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