No resignations, no accountability: BJP MLA’s political stunt backfires in Morbi

A high-voltage political challenge between AAP MLA Gopal Italia and BJP’s Morbi MLA Kanti Amrutiya ended in farce on Monday, as neither leader resigned from their post — exposing the episode as an exercise in theatrics rather than public service.

Amrutiya, flanked by supporters and banners, arrived at the Gujarat Secretariat in Gandhinagar after throwing down a gauntlet to Italia to resign and face a by-election. Despite his grand entrance and public posturing, Amrutiya left without submitting any resignation—because Italia, not yet sworn in, could not legally resign in the first place.

Challenge staged, but no resignations followed

The incident drew comparisons with a similar episode in Visavadar earlier this year. In Morbi, Amrutiya attempted to position himself as politically fearless, calling on Italia to resign. But Italia, who had not officially assumed office at the time, was unreachable and kept his phone switched off.

At the gates of the Secretariat, Amrutiya’s supporters chanted slogans like “Tum Aage Badho” and waved placards backing him. He waited for nearly half an hour before leaving, having neither submitted a resignation nor made any formal statement inside the Assembly complex.

Legislative Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary later commented pointedly that elected officials should prioritise governance over spectacle.

Audio clip suggests resignation was never intended

An audio clip circulating on social media has added fuel to the controversy. In the recording, a voice identified as Kanti Amrutiya is heard telling a supporter: “You must come to Gandhinagar with me. I’m just going there for the show, not to resign. Don’t worry, no by-election is happening.”

If verified, the clip undermines any claims of political courage and suggests the event was stage-managed to distract from more serious issues — including the BJP’s handling of the Ghambhira Bridge tragedy in Morbi.

Bridge tragedy still haunts Morbi

The Ghambhira Bridge collapse, which claimed 20 lives, continues to cast a shadow over the BJP’s leadership in Morbi. Public anger remains high, with many viewing the government’s response—patchwork repairs and limited accountability—as inadequate.

In this context, Amrutiya’s political showmanship in Gandhinagar has been widely criticised as a diversion tactic. Opposition leaders have accused the BJP of using drama to deflect attention from governance failures and public safety lapses.

AAP attacks BJP MLA over traffic violations

Adding to the public embarrassment, Amrutiya was recently issued two e-challans for overspeeding, totalling ₹4,000. AAP leader Gopal Italia took to social media to taunt him: “First pay the ₹4,000 e-challan, Kanti Bhai, then talk about resigning as MLA.”

This incident further weakened Amrutiya’s credibility and invited ridicule online.

Public perception and political cost

What began as a headline-grabbing challenge ended in visible retreat, with no resignations, no accountability, and no shift in power. Instead, it highlighted a deeper malaise: a culture of spectacle politics in Gujarat that prioritises optics over outcomes.

Amrutiya’s actions have backfired not just personally but politically, drawing criticism from both the public and political commentators. While the BJP leadership has yet to address the incident directly, the fallout suggests that voters are increasingly unwilling to tolerate what they see as insincere performances in place of governance.