Prominent tribal leader, senior MLA, and member of the Congress Working Committee from Vagad, Mahendrajit Singh Malviya, has parted ways with the Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
BJP leaders, including State President CP Joshi, State In-charge Arun Singh, State Co-incharge Vijaya Rahatkar, Joining Committee Chairman Arun Chaturvedi, and former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore facilitated his induction into the party.
Following his joining, Malviya refrained from making extensive comments about the Congress. He expressed deep disappointment when the Congress declined to participate in the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple. Malviya emphasised that the BJP is the only party actively working for the development of tribal areas. He cited the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies as a motivating factor behind his decision to join the party.
Malviya had secured the MLA position on a Congress ticket. With his move to the BJP, it was inevitable that he would lose his assembly membership under the anti-defection law. Consequently, he submitted his resignation.
The resignation triggered a by-election for the Bagidaura assembly seat in Banswara district. There is speculation that Malviya may consider contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Banswara seat, while the BJP is reportedly considering fielding his wife in the assembly by-election from Bagidaura.
Following his entry into the BJP, Malviya expressed his views exclusively from the stage, where he articulated several demands to the central leadership. One notable request was the designation of Mangarh Dham as a national monument.
Notably, Malviya chose not to engage with the media during this period. He shared his thoughts from the platform and refrained from responding to any queries from the media. This reserved approach was observed consistently during the event, with Malviya avoiding interactions with the press.
CM Bhajan Lal held meetings with senior leaders in Delhi
Malviya mentioned that he had been in Delhi for the past several days. During this time, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma facilitated meetings with the party’s National President JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah a day earlier.
Expressing gratitude for his inclusion in the party, Malviya recalled past experiences. He recounted that in 1977, he had walked from his village, covering a distance of up to 50 kilometres in a single day. Following this, he became a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and won the election for the position of college president under the banner of ABVP. Malviya stated that he has finally received the opportunity to join the BJP.
BJP extended support, Congress denied opportunity: Malviya
Malviya mentioned that he had won the Sarpanch election but did not hold the position for even a day and instead became the Pradhan (village head). Reflecting on his political journey, Malviya noted that during his tenure as Pradhan, he witnessed a Congress MP being elected. While the BJP consistently supported him, the Congress did not provide him with an opportunity. Despite this, Malviya went on to become the district chief twice and has now served as an MLA for four consecutive terms.
Congress may face potential challenges in Lok Sabha polls
Malviya’s defection to BJP delivers a substantial blow to Congress in the state’s political landscape. As a senior party leader and CWC member, Mahendrajit Singh Malviya held significant influence as a prominent tribal figure in southern Rajasthan. His departure is poised to compound the challenges for Congress in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Observers speculate that the BJP has initiated an ‘Operation Lotus’ in Rajasthan ahead of the polls, marked by the strategic inclusion of Malviya, a key Congress leader from the tribal region.
Further conjecture surrounds the potential migration of notable Congress leaders from Marwar, Shekhawati, and East Rajasthan to BJP before the Lok Sabha elections.
CP Joshi expressed confidence in PM Modi’s leadership and policies
A press conference was arranged by the BJP to welcome Malviya into the party. During the event, State President CP Joshi stated that Malviya has demonstrated confidence in the leadership and policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He expressed contentment with the initiatives undertaken in tribal areas under the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.