New Delhi (Agency): In a notable political development, Jyoti Mirdha and Sawai Singh Choudhary, prominent leaders of the Congress party in Rajasthan, switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move comes ahead of the assembly elections set to take place later this year in the state.
Mirdha, a former Member of Parliament from Nagaur, and Choudhary joined the BJP at its headquarters in Delhi. Senior BJP leaders, including Rajasthan BJP chief CP Joshi, were present during the ceremony. Mirdha is the granddaughter of Nathuram Mirdha, a significant Congress leader and farmer activist in Rajasthan. She cited neglect of party workers as the reason for her departure. Choudhary, a former IPS officer, had contested the 2018 assembly elections from the Khinvsar seat as a Congress candidate.
BJP general secretary Arun Singh stated that the party has been “strengthened further” by these additions. Singh said at least 40 leaders, many from Congress, have switched to the BJP, especially amidst increasing concerns over crime against women in Rajasthan. “This gives a clear message that there is a wave for change in Rajasthan,” Singh added.
However, the Congress party downplayed the situation. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Govind Singh Dotasra said that Mirdha’s absence from party activities for nearly five years suggests she had made up her mind to join BJP long ago. “Leaders switching sides is usual before elections,” he noted.
Rajasthan minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas also downplayed the exits, stating that Mirdha may hail from a political family but hasn’t been an active political personality. “As elections are coming, some are joining BJP, some are joining Congress. This will go on,” said Khachariyawas.
Mirdha said her move to the BJP was motivated by a “lack of opportunity to contribute to nation-building” in Congress. She praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and pledged to strengthen the BJP for the upcoming state elections and the 2024 national elections.