Rajkot: In a day of high drama in Bhavnagar that sent ripples through the political landscape ahead of the coming civic elections, sitting BJP councillor Sejal Gohel briefly defected to the Congress before rejoining the BJP within three hours.Gohel, who was elected on a BJP ticket from Ward 3 in the last election, announced her resignation from the party on Monday, alleging a deep sense of “insecurity” ub its ranks. Speaking to mediapersons before joining the Congress, she said, “I did not feel secure even being a councillor, and in BJP, the Dalit, OBC and minority communities are being exploited. When I was not feeling secure being a councillor, how would a common man feel secure in BJP?” She also levelled serious allegations, claiming her husband was attacked by “bootleggers” after she protested illegal liquor and gambling activities, and that the BJP failed to support her. Gohel said she had earlier received a call from the BJP assuring her of a ticket for the coming election. Her defection appeared formal when she joined the Congress in the presence of party leaders, who welcomed her publicly and suggested that “many more BJP councillors are waiting to join Congress.” However, the political volte-face came swiftly. Around three hours later, Gohel addressed a press conference at the BJP office in the presence of city party leaders, saying she had been “misled” by the Congress and was rejoining the BJP. “I spoke earlier as taught by the Congress leader, but later I understood my mistake,” she said, issuing a public apology. “That was my mistake to join Congress and I apologise for that, and I will remain with BJP for my entire life.” She also withdrew her earlier allegations about illegal activities in her area. Bhavnagar city Congress president Manoharsinh Gohil rejected her version. “We never contacted her; she herself approached us saying she wanted to join the ideology of the Congress party. We asked her to join without any condition,” he said. Suggesting pressure behind the reversal, he added, “We believe that there might be some pressure technique and that’s why she rejoined BJP.”
