Ahead of 24 Assembly bypolls in Madhya Pradesh, veteran BJP leader Balendu Shukla joined Congress party in the presence of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath in Bhopal here on Friday. A former Minister, Balendu Shukla is known as Jyotiraditya’s late father Madhav Rao Scindia’s childhood friend in Gwalior and he enjoyed considerable clout in Congress State unit when Scindia senior was in his prime in national politics. On his insistence, Shukla had left a bank job and contested a poll and never looked back since then. After his demise in 2001, it was Shukla who ushered Jyotiraditya Scindia into politics. However, Shukla had a fallout with Jyotiraditya after he was denied a ticket in 2008 and contested an Assembly poll on BSP ticket and left Congress party to join BJP after a loss. Prior to this he was defeated by Ramlakhan Singh Yadav (then BSP) in 1998 and against Narendra Singh Tomar in 2003 and as a result was denied ticket in year 2008. The prominent Brahmin face of the region however could not get his due in BJP and was sidelined in the party for years. However, his discomfort grew as Jyotiraditya Scindia entered BJP in March this year. “I have left BJP due to its anti-public and autocratic policies,” Shukla said after being assigned primary membership of the party by Nath at his residence in Bhopal. Retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who contested assembly poll on Samajwadi Party ticket in the past also joined Congress with Shukla. Not naming Jyotiraditya Scindia, Nath told the media that Shukla is back as the reason why he left the party is no longer with us. There are many more who are willing to join the party, added the PCC chief. With the departure of Jyotiraditya Scindia and his loyalists, Congress party is busy consolidating its dented base in Gwalior –Chambal region where as many as 16 by-polls are due and outcome of the elections hold significance to Congress plans of making a comeback in power. Congress party is hopeful of gains in Gwalior region with the return of Shukla. However, many are sceptical how much a 74-year-old Shukla could benefit Congress party especially after remaining from political glitz for years. Leaders keep coming to BJP and we are not bothered by anyone’s exit, BJP state head VD Sharma said adding Shukla had a past experience with the Congress party and he will have another one in future.

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