Big Blow to Congress Ahead of LS Polls; This Close Ally of Kamal Nath, Several Cong Members Switch to BJP

In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections-2024, a trusted associate of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, along with several other Congress functionaries, made a notable move by joining the ruling BJP on Monday. 

The joining event witnessed Syed Zafar, previously a spokesperson for the Congress party, officially becoming a member of the BJP in Bhopal, in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the state's BJP head VD Sharma.

Zafar, hailing from Chhindwara, held a significant position within the Congress ranks and was closely associated with the veteran leader Kamal Nath.

Along with Zafar, Congress General Secretary Manisha Dubey, BSP state in-charge Dr. Ramsakha Verma, Ratlam District Panchayat members Santosh Paliwal, Abhayraj Singh, Ankit Porwal and other Congress officials, public representatives and workers took membership of BJP.

Despite Zafar's departure, the state Congress media department chairman K K Mishra clarified that he currently didn't hold any official position within the party.

In a similar vein, earlier this month, the BJP welcomed former Union minister Suresh Pachouri, former MP Gajendra Singh Rajukhedi, and other prominent Congress figures into its fold.

Earlier this month, Suresh Pachouri also crossed over to BJP.

The ongoing political landscape has also witnessed pointed remarks from former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for what he termed as unsuccessful 'Yatras' or political rallies.

Chouhan highlighted instances where Congress suffered electoral setbacks coinciding with Rahul Gandhi's rallies, suggesting a pattern of discord within the party.

He posed four questions to Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, questioning their decision to abstain from attending significant events like the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.

Chouhan further pressed on Congress's stance on issues like women's rights and criticized the party's leaders for making derogatory statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chouhan emphasized the steady exodus of leaders from the Congress party, hinting at a lack of cohesive leadership within its ranks and even questioning Sonia Gandhi's decision not to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.