The BJP rebels in Gujarat on Wednesday announced the formation of the Maha Gujarat Party and released the outfit’s symbol and constitution. Former Home Minister Gordhan Zadafia has been chosen party president and Bhavnagar MLA Sunil Oza general secretary. The first convention of the party will be held in Ahmedabad on September 25 when other posts and the party structure will be announced.

The conch has been chosen as the symbol and golden yellow the party colour. The party constitution released on Wednesday highlights integral humanism as its core. Zadafia, who is also the chairman of the Sardar Patel Utkarsh Samiti, said the golden yellow colour symbolises sacrifice.

The party leaders, most of whom have roots in the RSS, said they had the chance to contest the 2007 Assembly elections on a Congress ticket or as Independents. They also decided against going to the BJP, they added. “We have sacrificed post, power and prestige for the new party,” said Oza.

The Maha Gujarat Party has been touted as the first regional party in Gujarat where politics revolves around the Congress and the BJP. Oza said: “A regional party that puts the state’s interest on top is the need of the hour.”