Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 9

In a setback to the Congress, Rahul Gandhi loyalist Jitin Prasada today joined the BJP ahead of the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. Welcoming him into the party fold in the presence of Union Minister Piyush Goyal, BJP’s chief spokesperson Anil Baluni said Prasada was “impressed” with the working style of PM Narendra Modi.

Goyal too heaped praises on Prasada who applauded the PM and ‘karamyogi’ Union Home Minister Amit Shah, claiming the BJP was the only party that was truly national, the other parties being mostly “regional or individual-centric.” The 47-year-old former Union Minister comes from an influential Brahmin family. His father Jitendra Prasada was a well-known Congress leader.

His joining the saffron party comes at a time when the latter is struggling to retain the support of various sections of society. Besides ‘mismanagement’ during the second Covid wave, CM Yogi Adityanath faces allegations of “favouring” the Thakur community. Prasada had launched the ‘Brahmin Chetna Parishad’ to give voice to the community. Ever since Prasada chose to align with the Congress’ G-23, he had been trying to resurrect his career. Already there is speculation of his getting a place in the Yogi ministry.

Prasada’s exit may signal the start of a season of defections in the Congress reeling under electoral setbacks and mounting internal problems. Like Prasada, who said he was finding it difficult to serve the people in the Congress, several other party leaders are at the exit door.

Those who could switch sides are Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot, ex-MP Milind Deora and some from the G-23 group which in October last had urged Congress president Sonia Gandhi to set the house in order by holding organisational elections. No forward movement has happened since then.

CONG IN DOLDRUMS

Rajasthan: Pilot and his loyalists continue to await rehabilitation. A frustrated Pilot has repeatedly urged action but to no avail

Maharashtra: An edgy Milind Deora is seen to be veering towards the BJP. He has publicly praised the PM on some occasions

Punjab: CM Amarinder Singh is under attack from his own party men. The Congress has allowed the critics to air their grievances

Karnataka: Former CM Siddaramaiah and party chief DK Shivakumar remain at loggerheads with both vying for CM’s chair