Over 100 Congress Leaders Join BJP In Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: At least 100 Congress leaders including an ex-MLA from Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district ‘betrayed’ the grand old party and joined the BJP on Saturday. A functionary from Congress called them ‘betrayers.’

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed Harivallabh Shukla, who represented the Shivpuri assembly constituency, and other Congress workers to BJP at an event, according to news reports.

“We welcome you with open arms to the party. We are going to work with one accord. You are free to give suggestions and play an important role in the party (BJP),” Yadav told the new saffron party members.

A party release claimed that more than 100 Congress leaders joined the BJP at the function.

Notably, the BJP had launched a campaign to induct disgruntled Congress leaders into its fold in MP in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Several Congress leaders have joined the BJP in the state in the past few months.

K K Mishra, media advisor to MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari, called Shukla a spent force. The departure of the former legislator will have no impact on Congress, he claimed, according to NDTV.

“Those who are joining BJP are betraying their political mother. They got everything but when the time came to pay back to the party and fight the divisive forces, they showed their back and fled tempted by money and muscle power,” he was quoted as saying.

“History won’t forgive these ‘betrayers’,” Mishra added.

Of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, six went to polls in the first phase on Friday. Polling will be held in the remaining constituencies in three more phases between April 26 and May 13.