In what may be a major setback to Chhattisgarh Congress, its working president and Pali-Tanakhar MLA Ramdayal Uike has joined BJP, just a few days after the declaration of elections dates in Chhattisgarh, claim reports. Ramdayal joined BJP in presence of BJP President Amit Shah, who is on a two-day election tour in Chhattisgarh, and CM Raman Singh.
Congress Chhattisgarh working president and Pali-Tanakhar MLA, Ramdayal Uike joined BJP in presence of Amit Shah and CM Dr.Raman Singh pic.twitter.com/m2MuwrTraO
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2018
Uike has reportedly claimed that the major reason for his leaving Congress was disrespect towards tribal leaders. During Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to the state, Uike was not allowed to share a stage with him despite being an MLA. He was also reportedly excluded from the 7-member screening committee despite being the working president of the party
CM Raman Singh called Ramdayal’s entry in BJP as ‘Ghar Wapsi’ and claimed it will make the party stronger. Uike was a BJP MLA from Marwahi before he resigned in 1998 after the formation of Chhattisgarh. He had reportedly left the seat for the Congress leader Ajit Jogi who went on to become Chhattisgarh’s first CM.
Ajit Jogi had in 2016, formed his own party called Chhattisgarh Janta Congress(CJC), after being expelled from the Congress.
This is the second setback to Congress after, declaration of a tie-up between Mayawati’s BSP and Ajit Jogi’s CJC.
The model code of conduct has already being applied in state after election commision declared dates of polls. Chhattisgarh elections are going to happen in two phases, first on November 12 and second on November 20.
