From Himanta Biswa Sarma to Jyotiraditya Scindia: Prominent leaders who dumped the Congress
Jitin Prasada on Wednesday joined the long list of prominent Congress leaders who resigned from the party in recent years. Most of them criticised the manner in which internal democracy was throttled within the Congress and were tired of seeking systemic reforms.
FollowJitin Prasada on Wednesday joined the long list of prominent Congress leaders who resigned from the party in recent years. Most of them criticised the manner in which internal democracy was throttled within the Congress and were fed up of seeking systemic reforms.
Let's take a look at some of these prominent ex-Congressmen:
Himanta Biswa Sarma: In August 2015, Sarma joined the BJP following differences with the Congress leadership in Assam and 10 MLAs followed him. Then chief minister Tarun Gogoi called his exit good riddance. Sarma quit the Congress after Tarun Gogoi projected his son Gaurav as the face of Assam's Congress leadership. However, Sarma exacted his revenge in the 2011 election campaign when he campaigned extensively for the BJP and won the party 79 seats in the 126-member assembly. In 2021, the BJP once again returned to power riding on Sarma's popularity. Himanta Biswa Sarma is now the Chief Minister of Assam.
Priyanka Chaturvedi: In 2019, Priyanka Chaturvedi quit Congress after upset after Congress workers who had misbehaved with her in Mathura, were reinstated by the party. She held an important position in Congress and was known for influencing the youth and social media. She is today a member of Shiv Sena and Rajya Sabha member.
Jyotiraditya Scindia: In March 2020, Jyotiraditya Scindia and 22 legislators quit Congress and brought down the government in Madhya Pradesh. Scindia was at constant loggerheads with party veteran Kamal Nath. After Nath took over as CM, troubles increased when Scindia's supporters in the government were side-lined, and it appeared that his political ambitions were being throttled. The central leadership was unwilling to listen to his grievances.
Tom Vadakkan: In 2019, Tom Vadakkan joined the BJP after he was hurt by the comments made by Congress against the armed forces. He could not accept the stance his then party took against the Balakot airstrikes and hence quit the party. He also said that he believed in the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.
Rita Bahuguna Joshi: In October 20, 2016, Rita Bahuguna Joshi left the Congress and joined BJP. While joining, Rita said that she felt that Congress had lost its reputation and after serving the party for 24 years, it was time for her to move on. She also criticized the leadership style of Rahul Gandhi. Rita's move also came after her elder brother, Vijay Bahuguna, defected to the BJP.
Pema Khandu: In 2016, Khandu and 43 MLAs left the Congress and joined the Peoples Party of Arunachal. He claimed that Arunachal was suffering from a severe paucity of funds and it cannot survive if there is a conflict between the state and the Centre. PPA is an alliance partner of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance. He is currently the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh.
Biren Singh: In October 2016, Biren revolted against the then CM Okram Ibobi Singh and left Congress for BJP. He left the party citing misgovernance.
