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Nirmala Sapre, a Congress MLA representing Madhya Pradesh's Bina assembly seat, crossed party lines to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday.

 Her defection marks the third instance of a Congress legislator switching to the BJP since the implementation of the model code of conduct following the announcement of Lok Sabha polls in March.

Sapre officially joined the BJP during a public rally in Rahatgarh, Sagar district, in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Speaking to reporters later, Sapre acknowledged her inability to fulfill several promises made to her constituency, citing this as a reason for her departure. She criticised the Congress, currently in opposition, for lacking a developmental agenda.

"I joined the stream of development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav," she said.

The Election Commission had announced Lok Sabha poll dates on March 16.

 Prior to Sapre's move, MLA Kamlesh Shah from Amarwara in Chhindwara district had quit the Congress to join the BJP on March 29, followed by MLA Ramniwas Rawat on April 30.