As Jyotiraditya Scindia formally crossed over to the saffron fold on Wednesday, the wishes have started pouring in from BJP leaders. Jyotiraditya quit the Congress in a shock move on Tuesday, triggering a political crisis in Madhya Pradesh. Jyotiraditya Scindia is a third-generation politician from the Gwalior royal family; his grandmother, two aunts, father and cousin all had spent at least some part of their political careers in the saffron fold.
Notable among those who welcomed Jyotiraditya Scindia was Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Chouhan was chief minister in BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh for three terms till December 2018 when the Congress returned to power. Jyotiraditya had extensively campaigned in the Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh that year. The BJP coined a slogan to target him using his royal origin: Maaf Karo Maharaj, Hamara Neta Shivraj (forgive us, king; our leader is Shivraj).
Interestingly, Shivraj Singh Chouhan referred to that slogan on Wednesday to tell ANI that "If there was anyone in Congress who was popular, it was Maharaj." However, he added now, "Both Maharaj and Shivraj are one in BJP".
Chouhan said Jyotiraditya joining the BJP was a "joyous day for BJP and him personally". Referring to 'Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia, Jyotiraditya Scindia's grandmother, Shivraj claimed, "The entire family is with BJP. They have a tradition where politics is a medium to serve people."
BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayavargiya warmly welcomed Scindia's arrival, saying he believed "Scindia can work in better manner for public welfare."
also read
- No place in cabinet, senior MP, Chhattisgarh BJP leaders stare at uncertain future
- Chouhan launches ‘Mission 29’ for LS polls in Chhindwara even before new CM named
- Chouhan frontrunner for CM post in MP; tribal leader could be preferred in Chhattisgarh
- 'Modi means guarantee of fulfilling every guarantee': PM at Madhya Pradesh BJP workers’ meet
Three of Jyotiraditya's relatives who are in the BJP—his aunts Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Yashodhara Raje Scindia and cousin Dushyant Singh—praised his character.
Dushyant, who is MP for Dholpur in Rajasthan, tweeted "Brother Jyotiraditya adopting the high ideals of Rajmata to join BJP is welcome." Dushyant noted Jyotiraditya was a "clean politician with integrity" and his move was in the interest of both Madhya Pradesh and the country. Vasundhara Raje Scindia tweeted, "If Rajmata Sahab was here today, she would be elated to see you put the #NationFirst. I admire your strength of character and courage. It’s good to be on the same team..."
Yashodhara Raje welcomed Jyotiraditya to the BJP, describing him as an amalgam of "youth power and administrative experience".