congress-loses-another-leader-as-lal-bahadur-shastri-s-grandson-defects-to-bjp

Vibhakar Shastri, the grandson of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, has made a significant political move by resigning from the Indian National Congress and officially joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 

 

The transition took place in Lucknow, where Shastri announced his departure from the Congress in the presence of BJP state president Bhupinder Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.

 

In a formal resignation letter addressed to Congress President Shri Kharge, Vibhakar Shastri expressed his decision to step down from the primary membership of the party.

 

In a post on X, Shastri said, "Hon'ble Congress President Shri Kharge ji! Respected Sir, I hereby tender my resignation from the primary membership of Indian National Congress, Regards, Vibhakar Shastri." 

 

Vibhakar Shastri has unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha polls in the past from Fatehpur Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh.

 

This move marks a shift in allegiance for Shastri, who has previously contested unsuccessfully in Lok Sabha elections from the Fatehpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

 

Shastri's decision to join the BJP adds to a series of high-profile exits from the Congress in recent years, including prominent figures like Ashok Chavan, Milind Deora, and Jyotiraditya Scindia. 

 

Pathak, welcoming Shastri into the BJP fold, emphasised the positive message it sends to social workers and the party's potential benefit from Shastri's lineage.

 

Siddharth Nath Singh, another member of the Shastri family and a BJP MLA from Allahabad West, echoed Pathak's sentiment, applauding Vibhakar Shastri's decision. 

 

Shastri himself cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inclusive governance mantra of 'Sabka saath sabka vikas' as a driving force behind his decision to align with the BJP.