Under assault from Congress leaders for becoming a member of BJP, Jitin Prasada on Thursday defended his transfer saying it was not an in a single day determination and was motivated by just one issue — “nationwide curiosity”. He further said the inaction on part of Congress over issues raised by its own leaders was also the reason behind his departure.
Prasada, who joined BJP on Wednesday, said it was a matter of “inner calling” and his transfer was pushed by the want to “work for the individuals”. Explaining what attracted him towards BJP, he told CNN-News18, “I saw PM Narendra Modi’s popularity and we tried to beat that and we could not…its one of things that attracted me to the BJP. Today PM Modi is the biggest leader and BJP is the only national party…Now that I have joined BJP I am in a better position to help people.”
Unhappy with their colleague’s determination to change sides, Congress leaders have slammed Prasada for “blaming the Congress and the ideology for which he and his father labored.”
Earlier, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at Prasada saying, “Jitin Prasada a was traditional Congressman and we gave him respect. He wasn’t ignored. He was the general secretary in-charge of Bengal in charge and was allowed to contest every time. Despite this, if he blames the Congress and the ideology for which he and his father worked, it’s sad.” Former Union minister and Congress chief Kapil Sibal questioned if he was merely getting used as ‘catch’ by the BJP to win the fast approaching Uttar Pradesh meeting elections.
Senior Congress chief Salman Khurshid stated he feels very low that his colleague stop the social gathering, however added that it was his selection. Meanwhile, M Veerappa Moily alleged that Prasada had positioned “private ambition” over everything else and his ideological commitment was suspect from the beginning and the party winning zero seats in West Bengal under his charge showed that he was incompetent.
Responding to the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh leader said, “Congressmen are free to air their views… As far as my ideology is concerned, there’s only one — national interest.”
Further, hitting again at Congress, Prasad questioned, “What ideology compelled Congress to kind a authorities with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra? What ideology made them ally with the Left in West Bengal in the course of the current elections?”
Defending his move, he said, “This was not an overnight decision. It was being deliberated over the last few years…in my states there was a huge disconnect between the party and people. It was a matter of inner calling. It had nothing to do with any individual.”
“I’m grateful for all of the posts and positions that I bought in Congress….however this isn’t about that, it’s about working for the individuals. If I don’t have the help then how can I do my work,” he stated.
Highlighting the problems within the party, Prasad said, “We didn’t see a turn around even after we raised issues…Congress did not listen. This was not just about not being heard…there was no direction being given to make the turn around.” Prasad was among the many signatories on the letter written to Sonia Gandhi by 23 senior leaders demanding an organisational change inside the social gathering in August 2020.
“This shouldn’t be about a person or somebody’s model of functioning. It is in regards to the Congress…if this was nearly energy I might not have waited to lose two elections,” said Prasada.
“Electoral defeats is one of the reason for me to leave…every one knows who the party head is…but are they using the available talents properly?” he added.
The former Congress chief avoided commenting additional on the social gathering as he stated, “I’m nobody to touch upon Congress being rudderless…it’s for the individuals on the ship to resolve.”
On his new role in BJP, he said, “BJP has not promised anything…I am not a deal maker…I have been a Congressman and just because I switched sides, BJP is not going to offer me a position. Its up to the party to decide how to use me.”
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