Congress leaders defect to BJP amid rare MP departure from Haryana

In a wave of political realignment, several prominent figures have switched parties, with the BJP welcoming new members to bolster its "Ab Ki Baar 400 Paar" mission of securing over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha.

Prominent defections:

Former Congress ministers from Rajasthan, including Rajendra Yadav, Lal Chand Kataria, and Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, have joined the BJP, along with senior Congressman Suresh Pachouri from Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, Manish Khanduri, son of former Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri, left the Congress to join the BJP.

Brijendra Singh, BJP's MP from Hisar, Haryana, resigned from the party citing "political and ideological differences" and joined the Congress. Singh, the son of former Union Minister Birender Singh, expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP's policies, particularly concerning farmers and recent controversies involving party members.

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Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for restraint, BJP faced embarrassment due to controversial remarks made by Karnataka MP Anantkumar Hegde. Hegde's comments, advocating for amending the Constitution to prioritize Hinduism, were disavowed by the BJP leadership, who clarified that they did not represent the party's official stance.

Opposition backlash

Hegde's remarks sparked criticism from the opposition, accusing the BJP of harboring a clandestine agenda to undermine the Constitution. The BJP leadership reiterated that Hegde's statements were personal and did not reflect the party's position.

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The recent flurry of political defections and controversial statements highlights the evolving landscape of Indian politics. As parties vie for electoral dominance, strategic alliances and ideological differences continue to shape the trajectory of Indian democracy.