Hours after he was suspended from the Congress, former legislator Nishith Patel on Saturday joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh and accused the main Opposition party of neglecting the poor and the tribals.
Patel joined the saffron outfit in the presence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at a by-poll rally in Barhi under Bahoriband Assembly constituency in Katni district, about 300 km from the State capital.Patel, speaking on the occasion, said, "I am joining the BJP after watching the party's dedication towards the people. I am impressed by its commitment for the welfare of the common man."
Patel further said he was influenced by the personality of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Criticising the Congress, he said the party had always left tribals, the poor and the farmers in lurch after elections.Earlier in the day, the Congress suspended Patel for participating in "anti-party" activities.State Congress president Arun Yadav has suspended Patel for his "anti-party" activities, Congress chief spokesman of state KK Mishra told reporters. Patel had been allegedly working against Sourabh Singh, the Congress candidate from Bahoriband, where by-poll will be held on August 21 along with two other seats in the State.
Yadav took action against Patel on the basis of a complaint received from Singh, Mishra said. Patel is the son of former Congress Minister Shravan Patel, who is considered close to senior party leader and MP Jyotirdaitya Scindia.Patel had earlier fought the Assembly polls from Bahoriband as Congress nominee but lost to Prabhat Pandey of the BJP. The by-poll has been necessitated following the death of Pandey.For the by-poll, Congress gave ticket to Singh, who joined the party after leaving Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Patel had been opposing Singh's candidature from Bahoriband.