Lok Sabha Election 2024: Another Jolt To Congress As Former Varanasi MP Rajesh Kumar Joins BJP

Mishra, who previously served as an MP from Varanasi, joined the party in the presence of BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, and party leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Anil Baluni.

Mishra served as the Member of Parliament from Varanasi from 2004 to 2009.

New Delhi: In a major jolt to Congress ahead of Lok Sabha elections, former Congress MP Rajesh Kumar Mishra on Tuesday officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party headquarters in Delhi. 

Mishra, who previously served as an MP from the Varanasi constituency, joined the saffron party at the party headquarters, in the presence of BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, and party leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Anil Baluni.

It is believed that the former Congress MP may contest the elections from the Bhadohi Lok Sabha constituency.

#WATCH | Delhi: Former Congress MP from Varanasi Rajesh Kumar Mishra joined BJP at the party headquarters, in the presence of BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, and party leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Anil Baluni. pic.twitter.com/bYg15m69Kc

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024

After joining the BJP, Mishra stated that he would strive to ensure that the opposition candidate for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat does not find any support. He expressed gratitude for the privilege of having Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Member of Parliament from Varanasi, noting Modi's global stature in enhancing India's reputation.

Mishra served as the Member of Parliament from Varanasi from 2004 to 2009.

Congress Surrendered Before Samajwadi Party In Uttar Pradesh: Rajesh Mishra

Mishra's dissent against the Congress leadership surfaced earlier in February following the announcement of the alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress. He claimed that the organization of the Congress had collapsed, and there were no grassroots workers left in the party. Over the past thirty years, the situation of the Congress has deteriorated significantly, he stated.

Regarding the alliance, Mishra had stated that the Congress had surrendered before the Samajwadi Party. The seats allotted to Congress in the coalition do not even have suitable candidates from the party.

He stated that addressing caste issues during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was incorrect. He further remarked that Rahul Gandhi is working not to unite India through the 'Nyay Yatra' but rather functioning akin to a 'Bharat Todo' (Break India) campaign.

Many senior leaders within the party are discontented with this stance, he added.