BSP MP Ritesh Pandey joins BJP after meet with PM Modi
BSP MP Ritesh Pandey joins BJP after meet with PM Modi
Ahead of the General Elections 2024, just many switchovers taking place.
In a recent switchover, Lok Sabha MP Ritesh Pandey bid adieu to the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party today, Sunday, 25 February,the BJP.
Pandey, the 42-year-old represents the Ambedkar Nagar parliamentary seat in Uttar Pradesh. His father Rakesh Pandey is a Samajwadi Party MLA in Uttar Pradesh Assembly.
Over an address to the media after joining BJP, .Pandey articulated that he was inspired by PM Modi’s vision of a developed India and had joined the BJP to work towards this goal.
Taking to his ‘x’ (twitter) this Sunday, 25 October, morning, Pandey shared the resignation letter he had sent to BSP chief and former Chief Minister Mayawati. Through the letter he has expressed thanks for giving him the opportunity to represent the party in Lok Sabha.
In the letter, it is also mentioned that, heHe entered public life through BSP. The party’s workers handheld him as he learnt to walk through the corridors of power.
He then moves on to address the elephant in the room. “For a long time, he is not being called for meetings and he is also not part of leadership discussions.
He has tried numerous times to meet people and senior leaders, but to no avail. He has reached a conclusion that the party no longer needs his service and his presence.
Pandey is not left with any option other than resigning from the party’s primary membership. The decision to sever ties with the party is emotionally difficult.
Sources reveal to news channel Pandey was in touch with Sunil Bansal, BJP national general secretary. The BJP has reportedly offered to field him from the seat he currently represents.
Shortly following Pandey’s announcement of his resignation, BSP chief Mayawati posted a thread on X that is being seen as a response to the MP’s allegations.
She articulated that BSP, was a “movement” dedicated to the mission of anti-Dalit icon BR Ambedkar. “That’s why this party’s ideology, functioning and selection of candidates is different from other capitalist parties.
In a swipe at the departing MP, she said the party’s MPs must introspect if they looked after the people in their constituency and gave them time.
Adding that they must also introspect if they followed the party’s directions.
Mayawati also asserted that
Is it possible to give tickets to Lok Sabha MPs when they roamed around for their selfish goals and remained a part of negative discussions? The party’s interests are paramount,” indicating that Pandey may not have got a BSP poll ticket if he stayed on.
An alumnus of the European Business School in London, Pandey has been a prominent parliamentarian, articulating his party’s positions on various issues after he was elected MP in 2019.
nterestingly, his exit from the BSP comes weeks after he joined several other Opposition MPs for a lunch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament canteen.
Pandey also shared pictures of the lunch meeting. Taking to his X he said”It was truly an honour to be invited by PM Modi for lunch today and learn how he used his insights from the 2001 Bhuj Earthquake to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What an insightful discussion – thank you for having us over!.
News Edit K.V.Raman
