Mahendrasinh Vaghela, son of ex-Gujarat CM Shankarsinh Vaghela, joins BJP
What's the story
Former Gujarat CM Shankarsinh Vaghela's son Mahendrasinh, a two-time Congress MLA, has joined BJP today. Mahendrasinh joining the BJP has come as a second blow to the opposition party in less than two weeks and ahead of the 2019 elections. On July 3, senior leader Kunwarji Bavaliya had quit Congress and joined BJP in Gujarat. He was also immediately made a Cabinet Minister.
Criticizing Congress
Mahendrasinh attacks Congress soon after joining BJP
Soon after joining the BJP, Mahendrasinh attacked Congress President Rahul Gandhi, saying that given his style of working, a revival of the country's oldest party does not look possible in the near future. Mahendrasinh was elected to the Gujarat Assembly on a Congress ticket for two consecutive terms from Bayad in North Gujarat: 2007 to 2012, and 2012 to 2017.
Information
Mahendrasinh had quit Congress in December last year
Mahendrasinh had voted against Congress candidate Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha polls held in August 2017. He had quit Congress ahead of the Assembly elections held in December last year. However, he did not contest the elections or join any party at the time.
Praising BJP
Mahendrasinh praises leadership of Modi and Shah
Mahendrasinh also praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah. The development comes at a time when Shah is on a visit to Gujarat, his home state. Asked if Shankarsinh Vaghela will also join the BJP, his son evaded a direct reply and maintained his father will take a call himself regarding his next move.