Scindia quits Congress, joins BJP

A day after he quit the Congress party, Jyotiraditya Scindia joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi Wednesday saying the country’s future is totally secure in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hands.

The 49-year-old also praised Home Minister Amit Shah as he was inducted in BJP by party chief J.P. Nadda. “I would like to thank PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and JP Nadda for giving me a place in their family. There are two very important dates in my life—September 30, 2001, when I lost my father. It was a life-changing day for me. The second date was March 10, 2020, the 75th birth anniversary of my father. I took a new decision on this day. I always believe in Jan Seva (public service) and politics is a way to accomplish that,” said Scindia at the BJP headquarters.

After spending 18 years in Congress, the former Member of Parliament for Guna in Madhya Pradesh said that the party is “not the same as it used to be.”

“Today’s Congress party ignores the reality, there is inertia, and many people are not given a chance to take leadership role. The situation is same across the country, but in Madhya Pradesh, the dreams that we saw together have been shattered. A promise was made to waive farmers’ loans within 10 days of coming to power. But it hasn’t been done even after 18 months. No employment generation happened during this period. Transfer racket and sand mafia are operational in Madhya Pradesh. So, I took this decision to be a part of this country’s progress. The country gave huge mandate to the BJP, not once but twice. PM Modi has tremendous ability to work for the benefit of the country, the way he works, the reforms that he brought in different sectors are commendable,” added Scindia.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje welcomed her nephew to BJP with a series of tweets praising his decision. “It’s good to be on the same team. If Rajmata Sahab was here today, she would be elated to see you put the nation first. I admire your strength of character and courage. It’s good to be on the same team. Welcome to the BJP,” she tweeted.

Another aunt, also a former minister, Yashodhara Scindia, was elated too.

“Very happy today. Government will be formed under Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s leadership. We’re happy as I’ve worked under him and I know what wonderful schemes we had for people and today we don’t have those. Best wishes to my nephew, hope we’ll have a good aunt-nephew combination,” she said.

Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said it was a “joyous day” for the party. “It’s a joyous day for BJP and me personally. Today, I remember Rajmata Scindiaji. Jyotiraditya Scindia has become a member of BJP family. Yashodharaji is here with us. Entire family is with BJP. They have a tradition where politics is a medium to serve people,” he said..