Rajasthan Congress MLA Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya in saffron fold

Jaipur, February 19

In a significant political development, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, a four-time Congress MLA and senior leader from Rajasthan’s tribal belt, on Monday joined the BJP, saying he sought development for his region and targeting the Congress leadership for refusing to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony.

Malviya also resigned from the House, with an Assembly spokesperson confirming that he presented his resignation to the Assembly secretary on Monday. Hitting back at Malviya, Congress’ Rajasthan unit chief Govind Singh Dotasra alleged he was involved in anti-party activities. He was even made a Congress Working Committee (CWC) member, but ditched the party. His switch would have no impact on the Congress and a new leadership would come up in the region, he said.

Malviya reached the BJP’s state headquarters where he was welcomed by the party’s Rajasthan in-charge Arun Singh, state unit chief CP Joshi and other leaders.