Congress living in denial: Jyotiraditya Scindia after joining BJP
What's the story
Leaving his party of 18 years, former Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia formally joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday and soon launched a scathing attack on Congress.
Addressing media, Scindia said the grand old party is not what it used to be and claimed it was living in denial.
He heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
What he said
For Scindia, two dates are important, March 10 is one
Scindia was welcomed into the saffron party's fold by president JP Nadda, for which the former expressed gratitude.
He said two dates were important in his life — when he lost his father Madhavrao Scindia on September 30, 2001, and March 10, 2020, when he called it quits with Congress.
"The Congress party is not anymore the party that it was earlier," he said.
Statement
Was hurt and distressed: Scindia on leaving Congress
Saying that he left Congress with a heavy heart, Scindia added, "I was hurt and distressed as I was not able to serve the people in my previous organization."
He said he only wanted to serve the people and politics was his way of doing that.
"It is no longer possible to achieve that goal with the Congress," he went on.
Allegations
Hopes got shattered in 18 months: Scindia attacked Nath
Mentioning Congress' win in 2018 Assembly polls, Scindia said the party got power after years but hopes were shattered after 18 months.
He accused Chief Minister Kamal Nath, with whom he didn't share cordial relations, of overlooking corruption.
"My respected father, and in the last 18-19 years, whatever time I got, we have done all that we could for the Congress," he said.
Praises
Scindia couldn't stop praising PM Modi
Not long ago, Scindia targeted BJP government over violence in Delhi but today he had only amazing things to say.
He said no other leader has got the mandate that PM Modi got, not once but twice.
"I consider myself lucky that I have got a platform to serve the nation. I thank the Prime Minister," Scindia, once considered close to the Gandhis, said.
Quote
Country is in safe hands: Scindia
"The PM's ability to work, using that mandate in a proactive way, and the way he has brought international repute to India, and the way he has implemented schemes, I believe the country is safe in his hands," Scindia added.
Chouhan's words
Meanwhile, Shivraj Chouhan welcomed Scindia warmly
After Scindia joined BJP, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was the CM before Nath, expressed his happiness. If Nath's government falls, Chouhan is most likely to return as CM.
"Today, I remember Rajmata Scindia ji. Jyotiraditya Scindia has become member of BJP family. Entire family is with BJP. They have a tradition where politics is a medium to serve people," the BJP leader said.
Twitter Post
"Maharaj aur Shivraj ek hain"
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP on party's slogan “Hamara neta Shivraj, Maaf karo Maharaj” during state election: If there was anyone in Congress who was popular, it was 'Maharaj' (#JyotiradityaMScindia) so we used to say 'Maaf Karo Maharaj'. Ab Maharaj aur Shivraj ek hain, BJP mein. https://t.co/ZXnT6vWh58
— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2020