1. Vibhakar Shastri, grandson of ex-PM Lal Bahadur Shastri, resigned from Congress and joined the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.
2. His resignation from Congress was followed by his joining the BJP in the presence of UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak.
3. Shastri cited his desire to serve Lal Bahadur Shastri’s vision under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership as the reason for his switch.
New Delhi, Feb 14: Vibhakar Shastri, the grandson of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, made a significant move on Wednesday by resigning from the Congress party and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh.
His decision to switch parties was made public as he tendered his resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress and later joined the BJP in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.
Hon'ble Congress President Shri @kharge ji!
Respected Sir,
I hereby tender my resignation from the primary membership of Indian National Congress (@INCIndia)
Regards
Vibhakar Shastri— Vibhakar Shastri (@VShastri_) February 14, 2024
In a letter addressed to Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Vibhakar Shastri officially tendered his resignation from the Congress party, paving the way for his transition to the BJP.
Expressing his sentiments, he emphasized his desire to serve his grandfather’s vision of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, subtly taunting the Congress party in the process.
Speaking about his decision to join the BJP, Vibhakar Shastri highlighted his belief that serving the nation and furthering Lal Bahadur Shastri’s legacy would be best achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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This move underscores his confidence in the BJP’s ability to uphold his grandfather’s values and vision for the country.
Lal Bahadur Shastri, a staunch Gandhian, rose to become the Prime Minister of India following the demise of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964.
Renowned for his simplicity and austerity, he led India during the intense 1965 war against Pakistan and served as the country’s Home Minister from 1961 to 1963.
His iconic slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” epitomized his commitment to both the armed forces and the farming community.
Vibhakar Shastri’s decision to join the BJP aligns with the party’s recent critique of Nehru’s legacy, as it seeks to reshape the narrative surrounding India’s historical leadership.
The BJP has been vocal in its criticism of Nehruvian policies and has attributed certain contemporary challenges to perceived shortcomings during Nehru’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The Congress party, on the other hand, has witnessed a series of prominent leaders departing in recent weeks.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan’s defection to the BJP on Tuesday was preceded by Milind Deora’s decision to join the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.
These departures underscore a broader trend of political realignment and shifting loyalties within India’s political landscape.
