After AAP MLA, Gujarat Congress MLA Chirag Patel Resigns As Legislator (Photo X - Mahesh Langa @LangaMahesh)

Congress MLA Chirag Patel from Khambhat constituency resigned as legislator, making the total strength of congress MLAs in the Gujarat Assembly 16 out of 182. Chirag Patel resigned after speaking with State Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary in the state capital today (Tuesday).

Chirag Patel had won the last state assembly election as a first-timer by a margin of 3,711 votes against the BJP candidate Maheshkumar Kanaiyalal Raval.

According to reports, the resigned MLA Chirag is likely to join BJP and the new development comes six days after the Gujarat AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) MLA Bhupendra Bhayani resigned from the party saying that he realized that the AAP was not a proper platform to serve the people, also indicating his intention join the BJP.

On the latest incident of Congress MLA resigning from the post, Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel said that not just Congress MLAs but the workers are also leaving the vision-less Congress party to Join the BJP.  “Our party (BJP) which was born from a particular ideology has never deviated from that ideology since its inception in 1950. This is why in the 21st century we can dream of reclaiming our ‘Vishwaguru’ title and becoming number one.” Welcoming all who want to join the BJP, the Chief Minister said “I do not know who is joining as of now, but our party will welcome whoever wants to take the nation forward while working with our ideology.”

However, as per the reports, the bypolls will be taking place along with the Lok Sabha general election next year, to fill the two vacant seats left by the two recent resignations.