In MP, Cong MLA joins BJP two years after switching to saffron camp

BHOPAL: Congress MLA Sachin Birla, who had crossed over to the BJP in October 2021, but hadn't given up Congress membership, finally joined the BJP on Sunday, with the assembly election dates to be announced any day now.

Birla is the MLA from Barwaha constituency in Khargone district. The BJP is yet to declare its candidate for this seat. "Whatever responsibility the party gives me, I will discharge it with full devotion," Birla said after joining the BJP in the presence of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state BJP president VD Sharma.

Birla had switched to BJP in October 2021, just before the Khandwa LS bypolls. He stood on the dais with CM Chouhan and even campaigned for the saffron camp's candidate, Gyaneshwar Patil. He also participated in BJP programmes, but did not give up his Congress membership.

The Congress appealed twice to Speaker Girish Gautam to cancel his membership but to no avail. For two years, Congress was stuck in a dilemma as Birla didn't quit. On April 6, 2022, the Speaker decided that Birla would remain a Congress MLA.

In 2018, Birla had defeated BJP's Hitendrasingh Solanki by over 30,000 votes. Solanki is a two-time BJP MP from Barwaha and considered a frontrunner for the ticket this time.


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