New Delhi: Jyotiraditya Scindia is likely to become a Cabinet minister in the NDA government at the Centre and his nominee will become a deputy chief minister if the BJP manages to form the government in Madhya Pradesh, Scindia’s friends and close associates have told ThePrint.
They said Scindia had been “exploring” the option of joining the BJP for the past “two months” and the Congress high command’s prevarication over his nomination to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh was only the immediate trigger. He is set to enter the Rajya Sabha as a BJP leader now.
Chief Minister Kamal Nath, whose government is now teetering on the brink of collapse due to the impending defections of at least 22-25 Congress MLAs of the Scindia camp, didn’t help matters much.
Kamal Nath refused to reach out to Scindia and virtually kept him isolated — and even stalled the latter’s claim for the post of the state Congress chief. So much so, that senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, never known as a Scindia sympathiser, sought to convince the CM last month of the need to co-opt the young leader but Kamal Nath didn’t pay any heed, a senior Congress functionary said.
A businessperson had organised a dinner for these three leaders — Scindia, Nath and Singh — at her Delhi home last year to bring about a rapprochement. Scindia had then complained that even his recommendations for transfer of officials were being rejected. Kamal Nath was dismissive. The dinner meeting only brought more chill in their relationship.
Also read: 18 Scindia loyalist MLAs camping at Bengaluru resort as the leader quits Congress
In touch with BJP
Last week, Digvijaya Singh went to town accusing the BJP of trying to topple the party-led government. Under full media glare, he and his minister son managed to “save” the government by ‘retrieving’ eight of the 10 MLAs who had been brought to Gurugram by the BJP in preparation for the toppling of Kamal Nath government. While the Congress brass hailed Singh’s rescue act, Scindia remained in touch with the BJP.
At BJP president J.P. Nadda’s son’s reception in New Delhi on 6 March, former MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan briefed party colleagues about the developments, including Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Narendra Singh Tomar and Dharmendra Pradhan, among others. They left the venue together for further deliberations. Three days later, on Monday evening, Home Minister Amit Shah gave his seal of approval, clearing the deck for Scindia’s entry.
Upset with Sonia and Rahul
“It’s not just about Kamal Nath. Scindia has been upset with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi — not just because of the way they allowed him to be undermined in the party but also because he saw the Congress going nowhere under their leadership,” a Congress leader close to Scindia told ThePrint.
Scindia met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah Tuesday to formalise the terms and conditions of his entry into the BJP. A scion of the erstwhile Gwalior royalty, Scindia is no stranger to BJP leaders. His grandmother Vijayaraje Scindia had cut her political teeth in the Congress and spent a decade in the party before joining the Jana Sangh, the BJP’s precursor. Jyotiraditya Scindia spent 18 years in the Congress before shifting his loyalty to the BJP Tuesday. His father, Madhavrao Scindia, had started his political career in the Jana Sangh but had switched to the Congress later.
In his resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi on Monday, Scindia said, “This is the path that has been drawing itself out over the last one year.”
The path, in fact, started drawing itself out about 14 months ago, to be precise. Ahead of the MP assembly election, then Congress president Rahul Gandhi had assured him that he would be under consideration for chief ministership after the polls. As it turned out, the high command opted for Kamal Nath over Scindia, a move many young leaders in the party privately attributed to Sonia Gandhi’s reluctance to make a young leader CM who might outshine her son and emerge as his challenger.
That was exactly why, these young leaders said, Sonia kept the post of deputy leader of the Lok Sabha vacant for two years after 2017 even though Scindia was keen on it.
Rahul Gandhi had offered deputy chief ministership to Scindia after the assembly poll results were out in December 2018. Scindia declined but said he would nominate someone for the deputy’s post. Rahul Gandhi then said that in that case Kamal Nath would also nominate his second deputy.
The CM had the last laugh as Scindia gave up. He was later appointed Congress general secretary in-charge of western Uttar Pradesh — a punishment posting, in bureaucratic terms, as the party has no base there.
After he resigned, following the party’s dismal show in the Lok Sabha elections, the high command made no move to pacify him. Instead, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary in-charge of eastern UP, took over making party appointments across the state, without even bothering to consult Scindia.
Scindia was also upset with the party’s stance on many issues. “One day, he called up a young colleague, asking how could the party criticise the government’s move to nullify Article 370? He found the party’s criticism nonsensical. Both agreed to speak out publicly then,” said a Congress functionary, concluding that Jyotiraditya Scindia quit because he saw “no hope for the party or for himself in it”.
Also read: How BJP tapped Jyotiraditya Scindia’s isolation in Congress to make him quit the party
Congress High Command is incompetent. They lack capabilities to keep their flock together. Old horses are a burden, a liability. Young leaders will have to be given the opportunity. Coterie is causing an irreparable loss to the party. The sad part is that they do not learn from mistakes. They do not fix responsibility for defeat in elections. They have also gone away from secularism. They have abandoned the Minorities and Minorities have abandoned them. They sometimes win elections because of the mistakes of others and not for their performance. They are either not performing or are under-performing. They do not have any solid vote base. Their future is not bright as long as they continue with their present ways. Persons like Antony and Salman Khurshid are no good to the party. Congress will have to reorient itself.
Absolutely True Sir Ji Maharaj
I think Congress has already written their obituary. It’s quite late now for the party to come back to life.Sonia Gandhi has destroyed the democracy in the party and has made this party as a pvt Ltd company where she and Rahul are everything.
Good for the country as this most corrupt party will not come back to power.
?
Kangress cannot promote Scindia because he is 100 times better than Pappu and will outshine him in all field. Sonia is afraid because she cannot tolerate that Pappu value goes down by young intelligent leaders
Congress is on the brink of extinction.Whatever is left in Rajasthan,MP, CG, is demanding fresh thinking, young blood and a new dynamism which can usher a new era.
Rahul, and Sonia are history.If congress men wants to save the party, and not the Gandhi’s they need to let to go of these two names plus send home 7,80,90 years old leaders who are useless and are just seat warmers…And I guess the entire CWC shall disappear.
Present era does not need them.So choice is simple choose between Gandhi’s or the party ??? Young or old….Time waits for none.
Jai Hind..this italy mafia must leave the country..whatever British done and spoiled integrity india..the same tricks of divide our unity ,using local cheap antiindians like P.chidambaram dig vijay.mamta
Guju goondas must leave the centre
Guju goondas must leave the centre.
Jai Hind..this italy mafia must leave the country..whatever British done and spoiled integrity india..the same tricks of divide our unity ,using local cheap antiindians like P.chidambaram dig vijay.mamta
Well said
Yes I like the comments. If you really want to save the grand old party yes this the time. Reorganize the CWC immediately and remove mother/son from the top of the CWC and bring in Priyanka Gandhi in command. Now RG/SG prove to be un protential for the party as far as decision making is concerned….. they are failed. Please think over it, instead of blaming other party cong. should realise its failure in keeping the party stands strong. Thank you all positive thinking congresmen.
Too late!
Your arguments are not correct ,but dangerous for the survival of country .If Gandhi’s are not there then can you say a party or persons of such Calibre to lead the nation .your totally partial and one side . In India every nook and corner everybody knows well about their sacrifices. Are you willing to see India as a Disturbed country ,unstable and less developed .So Gandhi’s are need of Indian’s.
Why do you think Gandhis are required to lead Congress reason all money strings are controlled by them,what ever done by congress so called leaders is known to high command , Gandhis rule by blackmail, money power just like mafia
Congress must either learn to swim without Gandhis or get ready to go down the dustbin of History…
Fake Gandhi’s have fooled us for too long…Present generation of voters can not be fooled or cheated by brandishing a Gandhi name.
As long as Rahul Sonia and Priyanka are there in the party Nothing miracle can happen. These three are the most brainless and Anti Hindu policies of Congress is a known fact.
I foresee that This party’s end is imminent.
High time the Congress party well wishers dump all the fraud imposter maino vadra mulla nehru family members out of the party immediately to save the party. The illiterate Italian barmaid knows that scindia and piolet are much more smart and capable than her moron stupid son pappu. That is why she don’t want to give them any high post. They will outperform the idiot pappu. Anyway now scindia has come out and we all expect Sachin to come out of the corrupt party.
When a son is not able to study well and mother is compelling him to become a doctor. How come this is possible. Putramoh ne bahut barbadi ki hai.
Problem for driver sahab.
The congress party is not learning lessons. Initially they took wrong decision about! Pranab Mukherjee he should nominated as Prime Ministerial candidate then Modi was no where. Why only Gandhi family should decide the fate of congress leader’s fate. J. L. Nehru became the root cause of Partition of country. If Jinnah was made P. M. gor one term what would been bad for country.? Jyotiraditya should been the C. M. Of MP that was due and just for him. Now the fallout is evident.
Future of INC, as on today, is very bleak. Leadership crisis is at it’s boom. Has failed to maintain sustainability, in the states marginally ruled by INC. Shrewd BJP leadership is exploiting INC’s deficient political acumen. SP in Rajasthan, may do a JS of MP and BJP will be happy to topple both MP and Rajasthan. Democracy in peril and our so called political leaders have given goodbye to the national interest and running after power. Very very sordid and dismal performance by INC think tank.
Jyotiraditya,you are great Dynamic,worthy for India.
We are in need, potential leader like you
Late but correct decision you taken.
God bless you.
Every thing had happened in congress party in State of M.P. good for BJP, it means good for India .In Congress there are other leaders who are young may join BJP from other states following Mr.Scindia who did wise move.
It is proved that again Congress is a party for the Nehru Gandhi family. They won’t keep space for the promising talented leaders other than that dynasty.
His name itself has India in it. Sc*india*. Jai ho… Scindia
Such talented leaders needed for the country irrespective of which party they belong to. Congress dynasty will never allow such talent to grow. Good decision by scindia Jr. Hope pilot also follows his footsteps. They can launch new party as well. India will welcome strong opposition. Save India from so called Gandhis
The Congress may, one by one, lose all its pearls in its fold and be left with ordinary pebbles like Venugopal, Antony and several other old spent forces. Jyotiraditya Scindia’s exit is a very sad moment. The grand old party should look beyond family members and entrust young Turks to take lead. But sadly, mama Sonia has only eyes for a peripatetic son Rahul Gandhi. Priyanka may have some acumen, but to have a rogue husband like Robert Vadra is like a millstone around her neck. If only Congress could reboot itself and get rid of all its errors and update to a modern entity, the BJP will only be growing like a giant, prone to arrogance and mistakes without a strong opposition. Good luck Scindia, time will tell whether there will be a ghar wapasi for u?
After karnataka this is second state they are loosing due to rebels. Thanks to 3 musqatiers so, ra, pri
There is a long list of rebels to quit Congress in various states because of clownish act’s of Gandhs a good sign for the country.
Good. To be in Congress is just waste of time.
It is not new to suppress able leaders in congress there has always been a sense of insecurity right from independence by the Gandhi family after Nehru Indra Bifurcated the congress to become PM to sideline Morarji, then Urs and Bhugana were thrownout after them it was Natwar singh and Innumerable, talented people latest in the list is Scindia but be sure he will not bethe last. The only hope for india and the congress is to let there be transparency in voting for the post of President of Congress and let able and talented people lead the party.
I don’t understand how the Congress is dependent on oldies and other inefficient leaders as advicers, when there are young talented Scindia, Pilot and many others in each state. Time to shed these inefficient half baked leaders and be more professional.
I do not support BJP. But it is good move from Schindiya jee. I was fan of his father and him but was very disappointed when his party does not respect his efforts and gave positions to waste guys. I will suggest Sachin pilot jee to look in same. This way we change the BJP also to come out from their dividing mindset
The Congress may, one by one, lose all its pearls in its fold and be left with ordinary pebbles like Venugopal, Antony and several other old spent forces. Jyotiraditya Scindia’s exit is a very sad moment. The grand old party should look beyond family members and entrust young Turks to take lead. But sadly, mama Sonia has only eyes for a peripatetic son Rahul Gandhi. Priyanka may have some acumen, but to have a rogue husband like Robert Vadra is like a millstone around her neck. If only Congress could reboot itself and get rid of all its errors and update to a modern entity, the BJP will only be growing like a giant, prone to arrogance and mistakes without a strong opposition. Good luck Scindia, time will tell whether there will be a ghar wapasi for u!
In any political party, talk of bringing youngsters to the font line is only theoretical. Congress so called old veterans never leave their chairs till they become immobile. BJP cashes this opportunity.
EVERYBODY WANTS SOME POST .
NOBODY WANTS TO WORK TO BUILD
UP PARTY. WHEN THEY THINK OF
SOME POSITION WHY THEY GET
FORGET WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO
GIVE THEIR WORKERS THOSE WHO
WORK TO BUILD THEIR IMAGES.
I CALL THIS AS BEIMANI.
Congress party’s central leadership is corrupt, anti-national and is determined to destroy the hindus one step at a time. It is now emerging that 26/11 may have been a conspiracy between the Congress leaders and ISI to implicate RSS (Digvijay Singh gave away the plot by jumping the gun and announcing that it was RSS Hindu terrorism while the attack was going on; he was not counting on Kasab getting caught alive). Any hindu leader in Congress with a conscience will eventually leave the party. Only those who have decided to side with the anti-nationals will stay in the party.
Scindiaji has taken a right decision belatedly. At a time when every old guard like PC from my home state TN, as pointed out by none other than Rahul Gandhi himself soon after the Lok Sabha elections,holds his family closer to his heart than the grand old party , what is wrong on the part of Scindiaji to have done this Holi act.
अपने दियेको चिराग बनानेके लिये
पुरे शहर को अंधेरा कर दिया.
That is Congress today
Congratulations Dear scindia, you have chosen your goals and path.I know the current Congress managment, its on it’s way to disappear in air very soon under the family rule.Every one knows that you are a threat to Rahul and having great abilities, that’s why you were isolated & ill treated. All the best and God bless you.
Beware bjp this is schindia family they are sporter of English gowerment on that time they kill Rani laxmi bai.
A commendable and right decision by a highly reputed public figure. He has taken very right and pragmatic decision in the interest of the country. I love him and pray to God for his prosperous career.
Few other congress young leaders need to migrate to BJP.
Just settling the scores for Maharashtra.
The blood is of betrayal, his absence will have no impact in long term if not instantly. Kinks will not be kings alll the time, He has lost his contact with public abd wants ti enjoy power on the boat if BJP, will not be accepted by people of Guna and MP in whole. His intention was to defeat congress being a secret agent of BJP with his long back plan. He should not be allowed to return to congress any time.
1. Won’t be surprised if Sachin Pilot does a Scindia in Rajasthan in a few months.
2. Don’t understand why Congress keen on flogging the old war horses like Digvijay, Kamalnath, Ghelot when able young leaders are at hand.
3. If congress had made Pilot and Scindia as CM’s their young cadre supporter base in India would have grown exponentially.
4. If congress wants to remain a viable opposition , Gandhi’s including priyanka , wadra have to move away from party and just lead a mentoring think tank. Make all old congress stalwarts into mentors too , like bjp .
Congress cannot allow youngsters to over shine Rahul Gandhi. Hence the old horses are still flogged and capable youngsters are not given a chance.
Sonia Gandhi doesn’t wants to make Scindia or Pilot in head postion, thinking that they will outshine Rahul Gandhi in National Politics. Simple…
You are absolutely right. Sometimes I think whether this is a part of the game plan because if we can think the repercussions of such actions from Gandhi family, obviously they can understand that too but may be this is a way to make the ruling government strong. In one of his speech, Rahul said that the situation would be reversed once he attend certain age…who knows, this is a deal
If congress has to florish, the party have to dump sonia, Rahul& priya. It has become a must for the party otherwise they will lose all talented leaders.
If Sonia dynasty leaves congress and becomes mentors, the other fighting factions of different state congress units will become faction ridden, leading to collapse of congress as well as Sonia dynasty’s dream of balkanising India to facilitate loot and scoot a divided coyntry
This is the reality of Congress party.
This party only for Gandhi family dentistry nothing else and those are always says madam , prince or princess always they rights.
This is Gandhi family they thought every one our proja they should obey our words India our kingdom no one should lead the country now they will know Indian people not slave
Politics stands for self promotion today.
It is sad. It appears that Congress itself want to wrap up the party. Now someone should take a call to revamp the party instead of Gandhis. They will take it to pataal. For a healthy democracy, a strong opposition is a must.
JS is no less a dynast than Rahul – in fact even more so since his ancestors reigned thanks to their royal status and not a popular vote. He has been a burden for a long time – failing to win his own seat but acting entitled, followed by pronouncements against the party sometimes even undermining the secular stance of the leadership. How can any one rue the fact that he was not given “patta” is beyond me. I am however mourning for MP – now as vulnerable to violence and extra-judicial action as UP.
Very true. Just like Scindia, Rahul couldn’t hold on to his family’s pocket borough Amethi. Considering that Rahul is a huge burden on the Congress and yet been made Congress president,despite his non stop failures, must have led Scindia to believe he too is entitled like Rahul. Much like Congress’ s Rajya Sabha satraps who can’t win elections even within their own families.
Chachi tum Ghar bhetho
Troll tum chup raho
Even though I am not a Congress supporter, I always admired Scindhia and Sachin Pilot. These are two highly educated and talented people whose services our country can use. I dnt know how these two were working with a guy as stupid as Rahul Gandhi. Finally one person has come out. It doesn’t matter which party he joins he will surely be an asset.
Congress is one step closer to its end and B. J. P is also one step closer to make india Congress free.
I am a Congress supporter. So called Cong highcommand done injustice to Schindia. They are giving powers to useless leaders like KC Venugopal and Antony. He is 100 times better than Rahuji. If Rahul is not interested in leadership Schindia was the right person for top post. He is well educated and having vast experience with Morgan Stanley and other MNCs. He proved his capabilities as a minister under UPA regime. But then why ignored him. Kamalnath wants Priyanka for RS post. No space for able leaders. So he decided to leave Congress. My best wishes to him even though I am unhappy. Let him become FM and save this country from this panavoti lady.
Congress is a proprietorship of Sonia Gandhi. The young leaders have no chance and future to become something in this party. Useless leaders like doggy, Chidambaram, anand sharma, Rahul Priyanka, azad all have proved their uselessness. Sci dia has done a very good decision. His Grandmother was one of the founder members of BJP and Scindia has future in BJP. Plus he is from Grand Royal family, non corrupt and decent.
Excellent comments.
Untill Gandhi parivar exists Congress never grow up.
Not to talk of the Present Congress Leadership which appears to be rudderless at present, it is sad if young Congress leaders like Jyothiraditya choose to join BJP forgetting their idealogy of plural India, with liberal democratic values, and inclusiveness.
The credit for deserting congress party by Young Scindia fully goes to great lady Sonia and Rahul .BJP must thank the two .
They both are going to bring down not only congress govt in MP but soon in other places too .
At least, all congressmen are not invertebrates. There is someone like Scindia who can stand up. It is a long way to congress-mukt Bharat. Though weak, it has presence in almost all the major States. Not easy to eradicate it.
Absolutely true. Congress has kicked its own butt by trying to protect Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi is not a politically intelligent person. Congress is paying the price for family first politics. This is the beginning of the end of Congress party.
Today’s developments shows Congress is not interested in building up strong opposition by retaining these young leaders. Fall of M.P.Govt.wl be further debacle for Congress n its future plans.
Juicy story, as Gen Secretary what was his contribution. These guys go to constituency only during elections. How, Gandhi would get if he performance.
Just like his boss Rahul Gandhi who couldn’t hang on to his own family pocket borough Amethi.
JS has made the cardinal sin by resigning. He can only be a pawn in power politics if he joins BJP as only PM or HM sycophants can survive in BJP. However, Congress fate is set to be doomed if Gandhi’s remain at helm of affairs any longer.