Major Blow To Congress As Ex-Union Minister Suresh Pachouri Joins BJP Ahead Of LS Polls

Madhya Pradesh BJP President VD Sharma commented on Suresh Pachouri's status in the Congress as the former Union Minister announced his decision to join the BJP.

Ex-Union Minister Suresh Pachouri To Join BJP

Source : X/@ANI

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri joined the BJP today in Bhopal. The move will come as a huge surprise to Madhya Pradesh's Congress leadership ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

#WATCH | Several Congress leaders, including former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, join the BJP in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

CM Mohan Yadav, former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state BJP chief VD Sharma and minister Kailash Vijayvargiya present. pic.twitter.com/yNdfHnBK4V

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2024

Madhya Pradesh BJP President VD Sharma commented on Suresh Pachouri's status in the Congress as the former Union Minister announced his decision to join the BJP. 

"Former Union Minister and Congress leader Suresh Pachouri is a tall leader in Madhya Pradesh Congress. Since there is no space for such a leader there, he has decided to join the BJP and work under PM Modi's leadership," Sharma told reporters. 

#WATCH | Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh BJP President VD Sharma says, "Former Union Minister and Congress leader Suresh Pachouri is a tall leader in Madhya Pradesh Congress. Since there is no space for such a leader there, he has decided to join the BJP and work under PM Modi's… pic.twitter.com/DOWbv1fQ7F

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2024

Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also attended the event.

Chouhan, while welcoming Pachouri to the party, told reporters that "Rahul Gandhi will breathe only after completely finishing the Congress, as Mahatma Gandhi suggested. All good Congress leaders are tired of the party's ineffective leadership". 

#WATCH | Bhopal: BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan says, "...Rahul Gandhi will breathe only after finishing the Congress completely as suggested by Mahatma Gandhi. All good leaders of the Congress are tired of the party's leadership which is directionless...Congress is on the… pic.twitter.com/rDhbLdHCJu

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2024

Senior Congress leaders Suresh Pachouri and Sanjay Shukla are joining the BJP today.

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav told reporters, "Aage aage Rahul jaa raha hai, peechhe peechhe Congress saaf ho rahi hai". 

#WATCH | "...Aage aage Rahul jaa raha hai, peechhe peechhe Congress saaf ho rahi hai," says Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav as he arrives at the BJP office in Bhopal.

Senior Congress leaders Suresh Pachouri and Sanjay Shukla are joining the BJP today. pic.twitter.com/Up9XwqA2mT

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2024

Pachouri, who was close to the Gandhi family, was Union Minister of State for Defence (Defence Production and Supplies) and a four-term Rajya Sabha member of the grand old party.

The development comes just a few days after speculation that Congress veteran Kamal Nath would join the BJP. Later, Congress leadership in the state clarified that these were just rumours and that he is and will remain a Congressman.

A few days later, Nath hinted that he was willing to retire from politics if the party desired it.

He told the party workers in Chhindwara, "If you want to say goodbye to Kamal Nath, that's your decision. I'm ready to leave. I do not want to impose myself. This is your choice".