After Congress leader Jitin Prasada joined the BJP, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Wednesday termed it as a ‘big slap on their face’ and expressed shock at how the former union minister called the Congress “family” a regional party.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Harish Rawat, a senior Congress leader, said, “Jitin Prasada joining BJP is like a big slap on our face. It is sad and disheartening. I am surprised that he called Congress “a regional party” and joined the party against which his family fought.”
His remarks came after Jitin Prasada joined the BJP in the presence of Union Railway Miniter Piyush Goyal at the party headquarters on Wednesday.
In a huge political development, senior party leader Jitin Prasada, who had a ‘three-generation connection with Congress’ joined BJP and termed Congress as ‘not working for public’. He also called BJP the only national political party while claiming that ‘others’ have reduced to regional politics.
Former Union Minister Milind Deora said that Congress must reclaim its position as India’s big tent party. “I believe in @INCIndia as a party that can & must reclaim its position as India’s big tent party. We still have a strong bench that if empowered & optimally utilised, can deliver. I only wish that several of my friends, peers & valued colleagues hadn’t left us,” said Deora.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP and Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge said that Jitin Prasada had a future in the Congress party as well. “Jaane wale jaate rehte hain (Those who want to leave, keep leaving), we can’t stop them. It was his decision. He also had a future in the Congress Party. However, it is unfortunate,” said Mallikarjun Kharge.
Welcoming the rebel Congress leader whole-heartedly, BJP officially greeted Prasad at party headquarters in the presence of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. After Jyotiraditya Scindia, this was the next big expansion for the BJP from Congress. Scindia while reacting to the development called Jitin Prasada his ‘younger brother’ and expressed his happiness. Ahead of the change, Prasada had met with Goyal and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital. His decision to join BJP is looked upon as a game-changer for the saffron party in UP with the polls due next year.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prasada had held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence.
Jitin Prasada started his career with Indian Youth Congress as a general secretary. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 for the first time. He was also a minister in the UPA government at the Centre.
Prasada’s departure is a fresh blow to the Congress party after another heavyweight leader of the party Jyotiraditya Scindia had joined the BJP in March 2020.
