Former Congress leader Ravi Raja joined BJP in presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (Photo: India Today)

Congress veteran Ravi Raja joins BJP weeks ahead of Maharashtra polls

After joining the BJP, Raja pointed to the discrimination within Congress regarding ticket distribution, saying that "tickets are not being given based on merit."

by · India Today

In Short

  • Ravi Raja criticises Congress for ticket discrimination
  • Raja is appointed as Mumbai BJP vice president by Ashish Shelar
  • Maharashtra polls scheduled for November 20

With less than a month to go for the Maharashtra polls, the former Congress leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Ravi Raja on Thursday joined the BJP in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the party’s Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar.

After joining the BJP, Raja pointed to the discrimination within Congress regarding ticket distribution, saying that "tickets are not being given based on merit."

"Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar has appointed me as Mumbai BJP vice president... I will campaign for the Mahayuti candidate from Mumbai and ensure that the candidate wins," he added.

Shedding light on his decision to leave Congress, Raja said that the party never "utilised" his abilities and knowledge." I would say that Congress never utilised my knowledge or abilities, but I request BJP to utilise my capabilities," he said.

“Raja is like an encyclopaedia for issues in Mumbai. He is an old friend of ours. Raja and his supporters’ decision to join the BJP would strengthen the party’s prospects ahead of Maharashtra assembly polls,” Shelar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI in its report.

"Since 1980 as a Youth Congress Member, I have served the party with utmost sincerity and dedication and today I am made to believe that my 44 years of service for the Congress party is not respected and hence I take this decision of resigning from my party post," his letter read.

On Wednesday, he resigned from the Congress, stating that his 44 years with the party were “not respected.” He submitted his resignation to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Maharashtra, after witnessing five years of political upheaval, several governments, alliances, and symbols, along with part names being changed, will go to the polls on November 20, the result for which will be declared on November 23.