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The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is fast expanding its social and electoral base in states where it earlier had little or no political presence. In less than a week, BJP has managed to gain political ground in states like Sikkim and Telangana which have traditionally not been a stronghold of the party.
60 PROMINENT TDP LEADERS JOIN BJP IN TELANGANA
The developments in Telangana happened on 18 August, 2019 when more than 60 leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) joined BJP. Similarly, leaders of TDP have also joined BJP in Rajya Sabha after the recent debacle of TDP in the assembly elections.
Around 60 prominent National, State and District level leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) along with thousands of party workers joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Hyderabad, Telangana in the presence of BJP National Working President Shri JP Nadda.
“It is a very, very good sign as far as the Telangana unit is concerned,” said Shri Lanka Dinakar, who himself shifted from TDP to BJP in June earlier this year.
“Thousands of TDP workers have joined the BJP. Besides them, around 60 prominent national, state and district level leaders have joined the BJP in the presence of Shri JP Nadda. Many are coming forward to join our party after passage of Triple Talaq Bill and abrogation of Article 370,” Shri Dinakar added.
10 MLAS OF SIKKIM DEMOCRATIC FRONT (SDF) JOIN BJP
New Delhi, Aug 13 (ANI): 10 MLAs of Sikkim Democratic Front joined Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi on 13 August, 2019 making the BJP the main opposition party in the northeastern state. They joined the party in presence of BJP National Working President Shri JP Nadda, BJP National General Secretary Shri Ram Madhav and other senior leaders.
SDF MLAs who joined the BJP include Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, Ugyen Tshering Gyatso, Narendra Kumar Subba, Dilli Ram Thapa, Karma Sonam Lepcha, Krishna Bahadur Rai, Tashi Thendup Bhutia, Farwanti Tamang, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha and Raj Kumari Thapa.
Former Minister Dorjee Tshering Lepcha who joined BJP said, “We will work to expand the BJP’s base in Sikkim”. “We want lotus to bloom in Sikkim. The younger generation has accepted look east policy of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and we are inspired with the policies of Modiji’s government.”
SIX SENIOR OPPOSITION LEADERS OF ANDHRA PRADESH JOIN BJP
Several leaders from Andhra Pradesh on 01 August, 2019 joined the Bhartiya Janata Party in the presence of its Party National Working President Shri JP Nadda.
Those who joined the party are Gangula Pratap Reddy, a three-time MLA and one time MP who had vacated his seat for then Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao in 1991 to contest Lok Sabha election. Gangula Pratap Reddy later left the Congress and joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Others who joined include, Pasupuleti Sudhakar, Kancharla Hari Prasad, a TDP member and retired income tax commissioner, Shaik Nizamuddin, H M A Mazhar Bhaig and Venkaih D.
CONGRESS LEADER, 42 OTHERS JOIN BJP IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
A local Congress leader and 42 others joined the BJP in Jammu on 13 August in the presence of senior office-bearers of the party. Shailender Vaid, Ex-Chairman and Convener of the Congress’ Minority Morcha, was welcomed in the BJP by National Vice President and Jammu and Kashmir election in-charge Shri Avinash Rai Khanna and J&K State BJP President Shri Ravinder Raina.
Retired IPS officer and social activist Bhopinder Singh, Arogaya Yoga Sansthan convener Vipan Nischal, and Abhiudit Koushal, grandson of former Reasi MLA Rishi Kumar Kushal, also joined the party.Among others who joined the BJP were social activists Gurmeet Singh and Lokesh Kapoor. Hundreds of their supporters also joined the party.
Shri Avinash Rai Khanna said BJP is a perfect blend of patriotism and
professionalism which acts as a catalyst in its growth.
Apart from the recent examples of Telangana, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh senior leaders of the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) joined BJP in Karnataka which led to the coalition government losing its majority status in the legislative assembly and allowed BJP to return to power.
Similarly, more than 10 Congress leaders have joined BJP in Goa recently while a couple leaders of Congress have also joined BJP in Maharashtra just months away from the assembly elections which is expected to take place in October-November.