Former railway minister Naran Rathwa resigns from Congress

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Gujarat, Congress leader from Chhota Udepur seat Naran Rathwa and his son Sangram Rathwa, joined the BJP along with a group of supporters.

The Rathwas visited the BJP's state headquarters, Shri Kamalam in Gandhinagar, where they engaged in discussions with Gordhan Zadafia, the central Gujarat incharge, before switching to the ruling party.

In a big blow to Congress, after Chirag Patel and CJ Chavda’s resignation from the Congress, reports reveal that former union minister of state Naran Rathwa may join the BJP.

This move comes at a critical juncture, just days ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s anticipated visit to Gujarat’s tribal belt with his ‘Nyay Yatra’, indicating potential strategic implications for the Congress party’s influence in the region.

These changes could signify a reshaping of tribal politics in Gujarat, with the BJP seemingly consolidating its hold over an area traditionally seen as a Congress stronghold.

On ther other hand, as Rathwa's son and director of Baroda Dairy, also resigned from of the party, Vadodara district congress working president Abhishek Upadhyay has written a letter to the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Shaktisinh Gohil to accept his resignation 'immediately'. Upadhyay has alleged an indiscipline and casteism in the party.

Who is Naran Rathwa?

Naran Rathwa, a veteran Congress leader and five-time Lok Sabha member representing the Chhota Udepur constituency, hails from a tribal community. Naran Rathwa was a minister of state in the ministry of railways during the UPA government from 2004-2009. He won the Lok Sabha elections for the first time in 1989. Rathwa’s term in the Rajya Sabha has recently ended.

The political landscape is poised for further change as Kwanta Taluka panchayat chief, Pintu Rathwa, is also contemplating rejoining the BJP after being suspended by it earlier.

A senior Gujarat Congress MLA, Chatursinh Javanji Chavda, stepped down from his legislative position last month.

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Former railway minister Naran Rathwa joins BJP

Naran Rathwa is a veteran Congress leader and five-time Lok Sabha member representing the Chhota Udepur constituency

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