In a significant political development in Madhya Pradesh, seven corporators hailing from the Chhindwara Municipal Corporation have defected from the Congress party to join the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections. This shift marks a substantial setback for former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, particularly in his traditional stronghold, as the BJP gains ground in the region.
The defection ceremony took place in Bhopal at the residence of MoS Kailash Vijayvargiya on Tuesday evening, where the corporators, along with their supporters, expressed their allegiance to the BJP with fervent chants of "phir ek baar Modi sarkar" (Modi government once again).
Among the individuals crossing party lines are Roshni Sallam, Leena Tirkam, Santoshi Vadiwar, Deepa Mohre, Jagdish Godre, Chandrabhan Thakre, and Dhanraj Bhavarkar. Their decision to switch sides is attributed to their admiration for the developmental initiatives undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the state.
With this influx, the BJP's representation in the Chhindwara Municipal Corporation has risen to 27 members, while the Congress now holds 21 seats. This shift is expected to have ramifications on the dynamics of the civic body, where the Congress currently occupies the positions of Mayor and President.
Of note, this defection coincides with the passage of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' through the state, adding a layer of significance to the political landscape.
Chhindwara, historically a bastion of Kamal Nath, who also serves as a sitting MLA from this constituency, has witnessed a series of political upheavals in recent times. While speculation abounds regarding the potential defection of Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath, the duo has refuted such rumors, affirming their commitment to the Congress party.
In the 2019 general elections, the BJP made significant inroads in Madhya Pradesh, securing victory in 28 out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats. The lone seat clinched by the Congress was in Chhindwara, further underlining the political significance of this region.
