Over 25 Congress Veterans, Including Former Ministers, Defect to BJP in Rajasthan

In a significant political development, more than twenty-five veteran leaders from the Congress party, including three former ministers, have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan. The mass defection took place at a program held at the state party headquarters in Jaipur.

Among the notable figures who switched sides are former Agriculture Minister Lalchand Kataria, former Minister of State for Home Rajendra Yadav, and former minister Khiladi Lal Bairwa. Their move to the BJP marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, with Kataria being close to former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Bairwa being a supporter of Sachin Pilot.

In another blow to the Congress, prominent Jat leaders and former MLAs Richpal Mirdha and Vijaypal Mirdha from Nagaur also joined the BJP, further strengthening the party's position in the region.

The exodus from the Congress comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, with more than twenty-five senior leaders from the party in Rajasthan making the switch to the BJP. Among them is Mewar's veteran leader Randhir Singh Bhinder, who rejoined the BJP after leaving it eleven years ago to form the Janata Sena Party. His return also marked the merger of Janata Sena with the BJP.

The joining ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, State President CP Joshi, and Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, among others. The new BJP recruits include former MLA Alok Beniwal, Ramnarayan Kisan, Riju Jhunjhunwala (former Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Ajmer), and several other prominent leaders from various districts of Rajasthan.

The influx of these seasoned leaders into the BJP is expected to boost the party's prospects in the upcoming elections, while dealing a blow to the Congress in the state.