Former Congress MLA Hari Vallabh Shukla joins BJP in Madhya Pradesh
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Former Congress MLA Hari Vallabh Shukla, accompanied by his supporters and other Congress leaders, switched allegiance to the BJP at the state BJP office in Bhopal.
The induction ceremony took place in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
The joining event was also attended by the Convenor of the new joining committee and former state minister Narrotam Mishra, state minister Govind Rajput, and BJP leader Suresh Pachori, who recently parted ways with the Congress.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed the new members with open arms, saying, "We accept you all (Congress leaders and workers) with an open heart in our family (BJP); as I already said, in a way sugar is ground in milk, similarly we have welcomed you all. You can put your suggestions on any issue. Trends of the first phase of polling in the state are quite friendly and with a thumping majority BJP government is all set to be formed."
Explaining his decision to join the BJP, former MLA Shukla cited his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies and his intention to further Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia's development agenda.
"Impressed by PM Modi's policies and to carry forward Jyotiraditya Scindia's development agenda, I have joined the BJP. There is disappointment with the Congress party. The issues on which Congress became the party of the common people and ruled for 70 years are today cut off from the public. Now it has become only a party of leaders discussing in closed doors," Shukla shared with ANI.
He continued, "On the other hand, PM Modi made the BJP a party of the common people be it women, farmers, youth or businessmen. I have also seen the time when BJP workers could not be found in the villages, today the situation has reversed. Congress workers are not being found because the party is cut off from the common people."
Addressing the timing of his move during the Lok Sabha elections, Shukla expressed his belief in Scindia's capability to develop the Gwalior and Shivpuri regions. "I believe that if anyone can develop Gwalior and Shivpuri region, Union minister Scindia can do it, hence we will have to connect with the development man," he asserted.
Shukla clarified that he was not seeking any specific role or title within the BJP but was committed to working for the benefit of future generations. "We have played our innings and now have come to the party to work for the new generation," he stated.
Madhya Pradesh will conduct its Lok Sabha elections in four phases, with the upcoming phases scheduled for April 26, May 7, and May 13. Vote counting will take place on June 4. With 29 Lok Sabha constituencies, Madhya Pradesh is the sixth-largest state contributing to the Lower House. Out of these, 10 seats are reserved for SC and ST candidates, while the remaining 19 are unreserved.
