'Feeling suffocated': BJP leader asks people to vote for Congress
Vikram Ahake, the mayor of Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, has made an unexpected appeal to his constituents. Ahake, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 1, urged voters to support Congress candidate Nakul Nath in the Lok Sabha elections. In a video message released prior to the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls, Ahake expressed regret over his decision to join the BJP, stating he felt "suffocated" since joining.
Ahake expresses regret over BJP switch, praises Nath's work
"I felt that I was not doing the right thing with a person who has developed Chhindwara," Ahake said in the video message. He said Nath has always devoted himself to the betterment of the constituency, whether through education, medical treatment, or development projects. "I appeal to the voters to ensure the victory of Nakul Nath (and his father) with a huge margin," Ahake added.
Nath family's influence in Chhindwara and voter turnout
The BJP has fielded Vivek Bunty Sahu against Nath. Chhindwara is one of the six Lok Sabha seats where polling is underway in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Notably, of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, Chhindwara was the only constituency that the BJP lost in 2019. Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath has won the seat nine times.
Nath joined BJP in the presence of Madhya Pradesh CM
Nath joined the BJP on April 1, in the presence of MP CM Mohan Yadav. At that time, Yadav told reporters that Nath had insulted the tribal community, and Ahake did not want to be a part of a party that disrespects tribals. Ahake, who is from Rajakhoh Dana village, is the first tribal mayor from Chhindwara. His mother, Nirmala, is an Anganwadi worker, while his father, Naresh, a 55-year-old farmer, works on their modest two-acre agricultural holding.
