In a political development in Madhya Pradesh, veteran leader and former Union minister Suresh Pachouri bid farewell to his five-decade allegiance with the Congress, joining the BJP on Saturday.
The development marks a notable setback for the Congress party in Madhya Pradesh, as an increasing number of its members are opting to join the ruling alliance.
In a political development in Madhya Pradesh, veteran leader and former Union minister Suresh Pachouri bid farewell to his five-decade allegiance with the Congress, joining the BJP on Saturday.
Pachouri, accompanied by former MP Gajendra Singh Rajukhedi and ex-MLAs, joined the BJP in a ceremony at the party's state headquarters.
Reacting to Pachouri's exit, veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh accused him of deserting the Nehru-Gandhi family 'through whom he had earned name and respect.'
The development is a setback for the Congress party in Madhya Pradesh, as more members opt to join the ruling alliance.
Pachouri, 71, a long-time associate of the Gandhi family, had a notable political career within the Congress, serving as minister of state for defense and as a four-time Rajya Sabha member.
His criticism of the Congress post-defection highlighted the party's shift towards caste-based politics.
At the function, Pachouri mentioned entering politics to serve society, emphasizing the Congress's initial talk about establishing a casteless society.
However, he expressed discomfort with recent political and religious decisions made by the Congress, citing the party's refusal to attend the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony. "...But now they are talking about caste. In the last few days, the political and religious decisions (taken by the Congress) made me uneasy," he said.
Pachouri defended his decision to shift from Congress to the BJP, referencing his service in the Defense Ministry and questioning the Congress's approach to issues like the 'surgical strikes.'
Prominent figures who switched sides with him included former MLAs Sanjay Shukla, Arjun Paliya, and Vishal Patel.
Former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised Pachouri's commitment to serve the nation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "Pachouri ji joined the BJP without setting any conditions. When asked about it, he said Congress has become irrelevant and does not have leadership and policy. He wanted to serve the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership," Chouhan said.
Pachouri's letter dated March 7, addressed to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, surfaced on social media, citing the party's departure from core values as a reason for his resignation.
In response, Digvijaya Singh, in a tweet, accused Pachouri of deserting the Nehru-Gandhi family and questioned his decision.
"The Nehru-Gandhi family, through which you earned name and respect in society, has been deserted. That too for those against whom we all fought. Now BJP is saying that you belong to them and are returning home. Well, whatever you do... but don't do it in the name of Lord Ram. This is not the teaching of Ram," Singh added.
State Congress president Jitu Patwari expressed disappointment, stating that Pachouri received everything from the Congress, and remarked that those who joined the BJP earlier eventually became part of the crowd.
"Pachouri was Rajya Sabha member for four terms consecutively, held the post of union minister for ten years, an assembly election was contested under his leadership (as then MP Congress president) but despite all this, he left," Patwari said. The 90 leaders who joined the BJP earlier have become part of the crowd after a few days, he said, adding, "God bless him, we are relieved."