LS Polls: Uttarakhand Congress MLA Rajendra Bhandari Quits Party, Joins BJP

Rajendra Bhandari, a Congress leader and incumbent MLA in Uttarakhand, resigned from the party, opting to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Former Badrinath MLA Rajendra Bhandari Quits Congress, Joins BJP

Source : X/@ANI

Rajendra Bhandari, the Congress leader and sitting MLA in Uttarakhand, resigned from the party earlier on Sunday. He joined the BJP shortly after his resignation, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Bhandari, aged 60 and representing the Badrinath assembly, formally switched allegiance to the BJP at an event held in New Delhi, attended by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

Take A Look At The Video Here: 

#WATCH | Former Congress leader and MLA from Badrinath assembly, Rajendra Bhandari joins BJP in the presence of Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister Piyush Goyal, in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/OaBMmP657Z

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2024

In his welcoming remarks, Goyal commended Bhandari's past service in the Badrinath constituency and cited Prime Minister Modi's anti-corruption efforts and development initiatives as motivating factors for Bhandari's decision to join the BJP.

"He has worked in the service of the Badrinath community... Rajendra Bhandari was inspired to join the BJP after seeing how PM Modi has worked across the country to eradicate corruption, protect heritage, and develop the nation. I hope he continues to work with the same determination and sense of service," Goyal said at a press conference. 

#WATCH | Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "We welcome Rajendra Bhandari. He has worked in the service of the people of Badrinath... The way PM Modi has worked across the country to eliminate corruption, protect the heritage and develop the nation has inspired Rajendra Bhandari… pic.twitter.com/XfTKYg8D9j

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2024

Bhandari's resignation from the Congress was succinct, offering no explicit rationale for his departure.

Chief Minister Dhami attributed Bhandari's move to the BJP's track record of developmental projects, expressing confidence in the party's prospects in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Bhandari's inclusion in our ranks not only strengthens our position in Uttarakhand's electoral landscape but also injects a fresh wave of positivity. We extend our warmest welcome to him," Dhami remarked.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "He (Rajendra Bhandari) has a long political career. He has joined the BJP because of the developmental work that we have done, and he is impressed by that. BJP was already in the position to win all five Lok Sabha seats of… pic.twitter.com/PPj53IumYv

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2024

Once again, Bhandari declined to elaborate on his reasons for leaving the Congress in his brief resignation letter.