Jitin Prasad's indefinite answer gives Congress a scare
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Mar 22, 2019, 17:22 IST
NEW DELHI: The Congress, which has lost quite a few leaders in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, on Friday faced another scare as reports emerged that senior party leader and former Union minister Jitin Prasad is planning to quit the party and join BJP.
The speculations further intensified with Prasad's indefinite answer to a reporter's question.
When asked to respond to the reports of his switching parties, Prasad said "Why should I answer a hypothetical question? There should be some basis for such a question."
Even National Conference leader Omar Abdullah was not convinced with Prasad's reply. "Why can't Jitin Prasad give a categorical answer? he tweeted.
Earlier today, reports emerged that Prasad will switch camps to join the saffron party. It was earlier reported by The Times of India that the former Union minister was apparently miffed with the party leadership over not being consulted over the distribution of tickets in the Sitapur and Lakhimpur-Kheri districts.
Prasad is considered close to Rahul Gandhi and is tipped to be one of the contenders for UP Congress chief’s post currently held by actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar.
Prasad was reportedly angry over two Muslim candidates being announced from Sitapur and Kheri Lok Sabha seats. His own Lok Sabha seat – Dhaurahra – was carved out of Sitapur and Lakhimpur-Kheri districts after delimitation in 2009.
A senior UP cabinet minister did indicate that some back-channel has been opened between Prasad and top BJP leadership. This could be the reason why BJP cleared the candidates from Hardoi, Sitapur, and Mishrikh Lok Sabha seats on Thursday but withheld the name from Dhaurahra.
The speculations further intensified with Prasad's indefinite answer to a reporter's question.
When asked to respond to the reports of his switching parties, Prasad said "Why should I answer a hypothetical question? There should be some basis for such a question."
Even National Conference leader Omar Abdullah was not convinced with Prasad's reply. "Why can't Jitin Prasad give a categorical answer? he tweeted.
Earlier today, reports emerged that Prasad will switch camps to join the saffron party. It was earlier reported by The Times of India that the former Union minister was apparently miffed with the party leadership over not being consulted over the distribution of tickets in the Sitapur and Lakhimpur-Kheri districts.
Prasad is considered close to Rahul Gandhi and is tipped to be one of the contenders for UP Congress chief’s post currently held by actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar.
Prasad was reportedly angry over two Muslim candidates being announced from Sitapur and Kheri Lok Sabha seats. His own Lok Sabha seat – Dhaurahra – was carved out of Sitapur and Lakhimpur-Kheri districts after delimitation in 2009.
A senior UP cabinet minister did indicate that some back-channel has been opened between Prasad and top BJP leadership. This could be the reason why BJP cleared the candidates from Hardoi, Sitapur, and Mishrikh Lok Sabha seats on Thursday but withheld the name from Dhaurahra.
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