Scindia aide quits BJP, returns to Congress in election year

Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party executive committee member Baijnath Singh Yadav, a loyalist of Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, quit the saffron party on Wednesday to return to the Congress fold, months ahead of the assembly elections.

Yadav, who hails from Shivpuri, and his supporters, including 15 Janpad members, were welcomed by state unit Congress president Kamal Nath.

"Yadav had left Congress along with Scindia (in March 2020) and joined the BJP. But he was feeling suffocated there and finally returned to his parent party," former Union minister Arun Yadav told reporters.

Arun Yadav also claimed that several BJP workers and leaders are not happy with the party’s government, especially because of rampant corruption, and they are in touch with Congress leaders including himself, Nath and Digvijaya Singh.

"They will join the Congress party at an appropriate time. Not only that but a majority of Congress leaders, who had joined the BJP along with Scindia, would also return to their parent party. A day will come when only Scindia will remain in the BJP," Arun Yadav claimed.

Baijnath Singh Yadav and his supporters were offered Congress scarves by Nath in the presence of senior party leaders including Digvijaya Singh and others.

"Everyone knows what is happening in Madhya Pradesh under BJP. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his government are playing the politics of misleading people.

"As the assembly polls are approaching, they have started remembering women, employees and anganwadi workers. The future of youth is insecure under the BJP," Nath alleged, apparently referring to the state government's outreach to various sections, including women and farmers, by announcing doles.