Gujarat councillor quits BJP, joins Congress, then returns to BJP within hours

While Sejalben Gohil accused Congress leaders of pressuring her, the party denied the charges, saying she had joined voluntarily. The episode has sparked a political row ahead of the state civic polls.

In Short

• BJP woman councillor Sejalben Gohil joins Congress in Bhavnagar
• She cites safety concerns and threats from liquor mafia
• Within hours, she returns to BJP, calls Congress misleading

In a dramatic political flip in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar, a BJP woman councillor switched to the Congress and then returned to the BJP within a span of just a few hours, triggering a sharp war of words between the two parties.

Sejalben Gohil, a former councillor from Vadva (B) ward, had earlier in the day publicly joined the Congress at a press conference. However, within two to three hours, she announced her return to the BJP, claiming she had been “misled” and had realised her mistake.

DRAMATIC SWITCH AT CONGRESS PRESS MEET

The development unfolded during a Congress press conference held ahead of the Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation elections, where the party also unveiled its public commitments.

At the event, Gohil formally joined the Congress, dealing with what was projected as a setback to the BJP. Addressing the media, she cited safety concerns as the reason for quitting the BJP.

She alleged that women were not safe in the party and claimed she had faced threats from liquor mafia elements in her ward. “Even as a councillor, I did not receive protection or support. If an elected representative is not safe, what about ordinary women?” she said.

ALLEGATIONS, THEN A RAPID RETURN

Within hours of joining the Congress, Gohil reversed her decision and rejoined the BJP. On her return, she accused Congress leaders of misleading her and pressuring her into making statements.

“I was misled. I have realised my mistake and returned to my home,” she said, adding that she had been lured and later felt deceived.

Her sudden U-turn turned the spotlight back on the Congress event and raised questions about the circumstances of her brief switch.

CONGRESS DENIES CHARGES

Bhavnagar city Congress president Manharsinh Gohil rejected the allegations, calling them baseless. He said Gohil had approached the party on her own and was not coerced.

“She came to the Congress office with supporters and expressed her desire to join. We made it clear there were no conditions and nothing to offer. She spoke at the press conference of her own will,” he said.

He also denied that any Congress leader had tutored or pressured her to make specific allegations against the BJP.

POLITICAL EMBARRASSMENT AHEAD OF CIVIC POLLS

The episode, which saw a councillor switch sides twice in a matter of hours, has become a talking point in Bhavnagar’s political circles ahead of the civic polls.

While the Congress initially projected her induction as a gain, the rapid reversal handed the BJP an opportunity to counterattack, turning the incident into an embarrassment for the opposition party.

- Ends