Maharashtra: BJP MLA Anil Gote announces resignation from Assembly, party
What's the story
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Anil Gote yesterday announced his resignation as the member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as well as from the BJP, alleging that "criminals" were being inducted into the party. Gote, who represents the Dhule Assembly seat in Maharashtra, said that he'll tender his resignation next week. Last month, another BJP legislator had resigned from the state Assembly and party.
Complaint
Gote to tender his resignation on first day of winter-session
Gote has been opposing induction of some leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) into the BJP. "Despite my opposition, senior BJP leaders have been inducting people with criminal background ahead of Dhule Municipal Corporation election," he said. About tendering his resignation, Gote said he's going to submit it to the Assembly Speaker on November 19, the first day of state legislature's winter session.
Announcement
Gote to contest next month's mayoral election for Dhule
Gote, who spent four years in jail charged with counterfeiting, claimed that if people from NCP get elected, they will "ruin" Dhule city with their corrupt practices, adding he is going to contest next month's mayoral election for the Dhule civic body. Gote had won the 2009 Assembly election as an Independent and joined the BJP ahead of the 2014 state polls.
Tainted past
Gote was arrested in 2003 for fake stamp paper scam
Gote was arrested in 2003 in connection with the counterfeit stamp paper scam involving kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi, and is now out on bail. Last month, BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh, a staunch proponent of separate Vidarbha state, had resigned as a member of the Assembly and from the party's primary membership. He was an MLA from Katol constituency in Nagpur district.