Madhya Pradesh Congress has issued a challenge to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, urging them to disclose the names of the purported 2.58 lakh individuals, predominantly from the Congress party, who have allegedly defected to the saffron party, as claimed by BJP leaders.
The challenge comes in response to former minister Narottam Mishra's assertion on Saturday, stating that over 2.58 lakh individuals, with 1.26 lakh joining on April 6 alone, have switched allegiance to the BJP in the state over the past three months, with the majority originating from the Congress.
State Congress chief Jitu Patwari, speaking to the press, criticized the BJP for selectively releasing the names of prominent leaders who joined their ranks to the media, totaling 336 leaders.
"I challenge them, will the BJP release the list of 2.58 lakh workers who have joined their party?" questioned Patwari, accusing the BJP of disseminating misleading information.
Patwari further alleged that individuals associated with mafias involved in mining, sand, transport, and education, who conduct business with the government, have aligned themselves with the BJP.
"We have already expelled such individuals," Patwari stated, referring to those expelled from different parties due to disciplinary issues.
In response to the accusations, state BJP spokesman Narendra Saluja, via a tweet on X, listed Congress leaders who departed from the party after Patwari assumed the role of state chief.
Saluja mentioned Congress figures such as former union minister Suresh Pachouri, Chhindwara mayor Vikram Ahake, MLA Kamlesh Shah, former minister Deepak Saxena, Jabalpur mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh, and others, who recently joined the saffron party.
"Patwari should clarify if they were mafias," retorted the BJP spokesman.
During the media interaction, Patwari also directed questions towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to participate in a roadshow in Jabalpur later in the day.
The Congress leader urged the prime minister to address why no action has been taken against the accused in the VYAPAM job recruitment scam thus far.
Patwari also questioned the appointment of Mohan Yadav as chief minister, based on a directive from Delhi, despite the BJP contesting and winning the assembly elections under the leadership of former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Furthermore, he called upon the PM to elucidate the unfulfilled promises made by the BJP, including the pledge of creating two crore jobs and ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat and paddy.
Follow us
