The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh continues to shock the Opposition Congress as on Tuesday its one more MlA joined the saffron party.
Congress legislator from Maihar under Satna parliamentary constituency that would go to poll on April 10, Narayan Tripathi joined the BJP in a public meeting in presence of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at village Churhuta under Rampur - Baghelan assembly constituency of the parliamentary constituency.
Tripathi is the third Congress MlA in this election season that has joined the BJP. Tripathi’s BJP joining is considered as a shot in the arm of the saffron party just ahead the polling as he enjoys strong clout in the Brahmin community having substantial presence not only in the Satna parliamentary constituency but in the whole of Vindhya region of the state.
Party sources said Tripathi met the Chief Minister at Satna air strip early in the morning, BJP State organisational general secretary Arvind Menon was also present on the occasion. Tripathi had discussion with Chouhan and Menon and later he accompanied them in the helicopter for a public meeting at village Churhuta under Rampur-Baghelan assembly constituency of the Satna parliamentary constituency, where Chouhan made announcement of his joining the BJP.
Sources from the BJP said that the saffron party would strengthen in the Vindhya region of the state with Tripathi’s joining and party’s Mission 272 + and Misison 29 would further strengthen. The BJP was looking to round off senior Congress leader and Satna candidate Ajay Singh for long, with Tripathi’s joining it the BJP is now hopeful to put up strong fight to Singh who is the former leader of opposition of Madhya Pradesh assembly and son of late Arjun Singh. Sources said that Tripathi was in contact with Menon for last few days and they had long discussion over the issue and finally today he joined the BJP.