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