Vibhakar Shastri, the descendant of former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, has departed from the Congress party, announcing his decision through a social media post. He simultaneously revealed his membership with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In his departure note, he addressed the Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, confirming his resignation from the Indian National Congress’s primary membership. His official welcome into the BJP was observed in the presence of Brajesh Pathak, the Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, alongside other key figures from the BJP. This move is notably timed just before the country is set to engage in Lok Sabha elections.
Expounding on his motivations, Vibhakar articulated his conviction that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership offers him a platform to better advocate for his grandfather’s ethos of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. He extended his thanks to prominent BJP leaders, including Narendra Modi, JP Nadda, Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, and Brajesh Pathak, for integrating him into the party. Shortly after aligning with the BJP, Vibhakar critiqued the Congress for its perceived ideological vacuum and singular focus on ousting the Prime Minister, urging Rahul Gandhi to delineate the party’s ideological stance. This incident is indicative of a broader pattern of political defections, underscored by Ashok Chavan, a seasoned politician and ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra, leaving Congress to join the BJP, signifying a pivotal shift in the political landscape as the nation approaches its Lok Sabha elections.
