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Former Congress leader Radhika Khera joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, just days after resigning from the old party. Khera’s move comes amidst allegations of harassment within the Congress party, which prompted her to quit her previous political affiliation.
Khera’s induction into the BJP was formalized during a joining ceremony held at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Senior BJP leaders, including the party’s national president JP Nadda, welcomed her into the saffron fold. Her decision to join the ruling party at the Center is seen as a setback for the Congress, which has been grappling with internal rifts and a series of high-profile exits in recent times.
The former Congress leader had levelled serious accusations of harassment against her erstwhile party colleagues, citing an unresponsive and insensitive attitude towards her grievances. Her resignation letter shared widely on social media, detailed the alleged mistreatment she faced, leading to her disillusionment with the party’s internal mechanisms.
Khera’s switch to the BJP is expected to bolster the ruling party’s outreach efforts, particularly in her home state of Uttar Pradesh. Her familiarity with the region’s political dynamics and her experience as a former Congress leader could provide valuable insights to the BJP’s election strategists.
The BJP’s decision to induct Khera into its ranks is being viewed as a strategic move to counter the Congress’s narrative and expose the alleged fault lines within the opposition party. It also aligns with the BJP’s broader strategy of attracting disgruntled leaders from rival parties, capitalizing on their disillusionment and leveraging their political acumen.
As the 2024 general elections draw closer, both the BJP and the Congress are engaged in a high-stakes battle to strengthen their ranks and garner support from various sections of the electorate. Khera’s defection is likely to further intensify the political tussle between the two parties.