One of the seniormost BJP MPs and tribal leaders, Mansukh Vasava, on Tuesday resigned from the party, days after writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protest a government notification that would harm the interests of tribals and farmers in his constituency.

Vasava, who has represented the tribal-dominated Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat since 1998, had written to Modi last week, seeking withdrawal of an environment ministry notification declaring 121 villages in Narmada district as “eco-sensitive zone” where farming and forest activities would be restricted.

The Vajpayee-Advani era leader had said the classification would harm the interests of local tribals and farmers. He had highlighted the harassment of tribals and farmers by government officials after the notification and sought Modi’s intervention to get it withdrawn.

The 121 villages are located in the Narmada river basin around Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s “Statue of Unity”, a dream project of Modi. Crores have been spent to build the world’s tallest statue and the Prime Minister is now seeking to develop the area into an international tourist spot.

“In the name of the notification of the MoECC (environment ministry), government officials have begun interfering in the private properties of tribal people,” the six-time MP had written to Modi.

Tribal people were “extremely angry” at not being taken into confidence and were preparing for a “mass protest”, he wrote. He stressed that tribals were dependent on forest produce for their sustenance and were now being denied.

The letter sought the Prime Minister’s intervention and “immediate withdrawal” of the notification.

The environment ministry’s notification and the subsequent actions of the local administration have triggered a tribal uprising in Narmada district.

Tribals in Narmada district are using traditional “gram sabhas” to pass resolutions against the government order and preparing to launch a massive protest. Under pressure, a local BJP MLA, Motilal Vasava, recently wrote letters to tribal village heads supporting the move to pass resolutions against the environment ministry’s order.

The tribal villagers have claimed “complete hold” on their land, citing provisions of the Panchayat (Extension of Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996. Popularly known as Pesa, the central law was enacted for ensuring self-governance through gram sabhas for people living in scheduled areas.

On Tuesday, Vasava sent his resignation letter to Gujarat BJP chief C.R. Patil after no action was taken on his letter. Though he didn’t refer to this as a reason, people close to him said the inaction had prompted him to resign. “I am resigning so that the image of the party is not damaged because of my mistakes,” Vasava wrote in Gujarati and thanked the party’s leadership for giving him “opportunities beyond my capacity”. He didn’t clarify what he meant by “because of my mistakes”.Vasava said he would resign from the Lok Sabha during the upcoming budget session.

“I am tendering my resignation. Please forgive me. I will also submit my resignation as MP to the honourable Lok Sabha Speaker during the upcoming budget session,” he said in the letter.

The six-term MP was not available for comment but BJP leaders close to him said he was under “extreme pressure” from his tribal voters and had resigned to try to compel the central government to withdraw the notification. Vasava has been vocal about the rights of tribals and had been junior tribal affairs minister at the Centre.

Coming at a time the farmers’ protest is raging, the resignation of the tribal leader spread concern and senior BJP functionaries in Gujarat were learnt to be trying to persuade Vasava to change his decision. Party leaders fear the development would embolden the Opposition to accuse the Modi government of being anti-tribals and anti-farmer.

“We have learnt about the resignation from social media. Mansukhbhai has been a loyal party leader and he will surely take back his resignation,” a Gujarat BJP leader said.