In a significant political shift in Rajasthan, former minister Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya has resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and expressed his desire to rejoin the Indian National Congress. Malviya, who joined the BJP just two years ago, cited deep disillusionment with the party's functioning and an inability to serve the people effectively.
A Return to Old Roots
On Sunday, Malviya held a crucial meeting in Jaipur with key Congress leaders, including AICC Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra, and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully. He formally submitted a letter to Dotasra, outlining his intent to switch sides.
Malviya described his brief stint with the BJP as a "historic mistake" and stated he felt "suffocating" within the party. "I do not want to stay there even for a second," he told reporters. He emphasized that the Congress was not a new party for him, having spent 40 years there, serving in various capacities from sarpanch to minister.
Reasons for the Exit
Explaining his decision, Malviya said he initially joined the BJP believing the "double-engine government" would accelerate development in his area. However, he soon found a lack of alignment and agreement within the party. "Despite the BJP being in power, I was unable to work for the people," he claimed.
He highlighted several grievances, including that the poor had no one to listen to them in the BJP government, MGNREGA payments were stuck for months, and farmers were not getting fertilizers. Malviya asserted that despite writing multiple letters to the Chief Minister and the state BJP president, no solutions were provided.
Political Calculations and Future Steps
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra confirmed receiving Malviya's letter. "It is true that he resigned from the BJP. He accepted that leaving the Congress party was his mistake," Dotasra said. He added that the party's disciplinary committee would discuss the matter and submit a report to the high command for a final decision.
Political observers note that Malviya's influence waned significantly after the BJP's defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan, unlike the autonomy he enjoyed earlier in the Congress. Sources indicate his decision followed prolonged sidelining, shrinking political space, and no indication of a Rajya Sabha berth in 2026 from the BJP.
Expressing confidence in the Congress's prospects, Malviya concluded, "Sooner or later, the Congress party will return to power in Rajasthan." This move is seen as a boost for the Congress's morale as it positions itself against the ruling BJP in the state.
