Congress leaders, workers resign en masse in Porbandar days after Modhwadia joined BJP

“Congress is on the verge of elimination and yet Congress leaders are not showing concern, Congress could not take care of even Arjun Modhwadia who gave his tan, man dhan (mind, body and money). As Modhwadia has quit and joined the BJP for development of Porbandar, all office-bearers and workers of Congress in Porbandar have tendered their resignations in his support. Therefore, Congress district has now become Congress-mukta (free from Congress),” the statement quoted Odedra as having said.

Odedra told The Indian Express, “The Congress of today is no longer the party that it was till 2014. It no longer respects and recognises contributions of loyal workers… My father was a Congressman and he had asked us to never leave Congress. I must respect his words but given the shape in which the Congress party is today, I had to take this painful decision.”

He added that he was obliged to support Modhwadia. “He and we all fought tooth and nail and won the Porbandar Assembly seat for Congress in 2022 against a wave in support of the BJP. He is the one who provided true leadership to Congress — be it drafting election manifestos, preparing strategies or plans to reinvigorate the party. After the 2022 election debacle, Arjunbhai suggested to Congress leaders that the party should focus on strengthening district units. But his words hit deaf ears, forcing him to quit the party.”

Odedra said that those who have quit Congress will hold a meeting on Sunday. “We have called a meeting to chart our next course of action. While we have not yet decided to join BJP, we are not ruling out that option,” he added.