Congress leaders join BJP in Rajasthan ahead of elections

Several Congress leaders, including former MLAs Chandra Shekhar Vaid and Nandlal Poonia as well as former Jaipur mayor Jyoti Khandelwal, on Saturday joined the BJP in Rajasthan.

Others who joined the BJP include Hari Singh Charan, a former independent candidate from Mandawa, Congress leader Sanwarmal Meharia and former IPS officers Kesar Singh Shekhawat and Bhim Singh.

"Trust in the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased. People today have trust in the guarantee of Modiji. People have stopped believing in the guarantees given by the Congress,” BJP state president CP Joshi told the media in Jaipur.

Joshi condemned Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's statement on the Enforcement Directorate officials, saying using such derogatory words for bureaucrats was condemnable.

The BJP's state in-charge Arun Singh said it was clear the countdown of the Gehlot government had started and that the BJP will storm to power in the state.

Former mayor

After joining the BJP, former Jaipur mayor Khandelwal said honest and dedicated workers were sidelined in the Congress and the high command was not listening to their issues.

"High command was maintaining silence or had compromised even after knowing everything," Khandelwal said.

She said the BJP has a strong leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

(With agency inputs)