Rebel BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Saturday officially joined the Congress party in presence of Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala and party General Secretary KC Venugopal.
Earlier in the day, he wrote on Twitter, “It’s with a heavy heart and immense pain that I finally bid adieu to my old party, for reasons best known to all of us, on 6th April, which also happens to be the Sansthapna Diwas of BJP.”
this party with the guidance and blessings of the stalwarts like Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh, late and great PM #atalbiharivajpayee and of course, our friend philosopher, ultimate leader, guru & guide, Sri. L.K #Advani. I would like to include some of those who’ve not lived up
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 6, 2019
The actor-turned-politician will fight against Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in Bihar’s Patna Sahib parliamentary constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Citing examples of sidelined BJP leaders like LK Advani and MM Joshi, Sinha alleged that the saffron party has become a ‘one-man show and two-man army’ and said that it was really unfortunate that he had to completely cut off ties with the BJP on their Foundation Day.
Sinha said he was considered a ‘rebel’ in the party because he always spoke the truth and criticised the bad policy decisions by the BJP government like demonetization and GST.
The two-time Member of Parliament from Patna Sahib was denied a BJP ticket this year. He has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government since past couple of months.
Earlier, on 28 March, Sinha met Congress President Rahul Gandhi, following which he had announced his decision to join Congress.