Alpesh Thakor cross-votes, then resigns as MLA and from Congress party

After months of will he, won't he circumstances,  Alpesh Thakor, the young OBC and Congress rebel leader finally tendered his resignation to the Gujarat Assembly speaker Rajendra Trivedi. The chaotic delegation of Congress MLAs went into the speakers office right after voting and coming out of the voting booth. The Congress MLA and observer, Ashwin Kotwal also confirmed to Republic TV that Alpesh Thakor and Dhavalsinh Zala cross voted.

After minutes of a meeting between the speaker, Dhavalsinh Zala, Alpesh Thakor, Thakor came out and addressed the media and stated that he has given his resignation. He claimed that all he ever faced in Congress was embarrassment and ignorance and was served only disrespect. He claimed that the Congress party has lost their mandate and that he wanted to work for the poor and the down trodden. He claimed that he was unable work for them while being in the Congress party. 

READ: Rajya Sabha elections | Congress resort politics returns, Gujarat MLAs moved to plush Mount Abu resort; Alpesh Thakor calls it a 'communication gap'

While he has on record criticised the Congress party in the past, this time, he also strongly hinted at joining the BJP.  He said, "I will now join the party which has the mandate and which works for the benefit of the people." 

He also strongly hinted at cross voting. He claimed that he was issued a whip and that he showed his vote to the observer. He claimed that he faced a lot of back lash from the Congress delegation as well. "You can understand from this, who I have voted from," he said while hinting at cross voting. 

READ: 'I will make every contribution towards the welfare of Gujarat', says S Jaishankar as he files his nomination for Rajya Sabha from Gandhinagar