Ex-BJP minister Karan Singh joins Cong

Former BJP minister Karan Singh today formally joined the Congress party.

Former BJP minister Karan Singh today formally joined the Congress party. This development comes as another shot in the arm for the Congress, that had last week succeeded in attracting BJP stalwart Jagdev Chand’s son, Narender Thakur. Karan Singh was a BJP member for 27 years. Last year, just before the Assembly elections, he had quit the BJP to contest from Banjar constituency of Kullu district on a BSP ticket, only to lose.

His joining the Congress was marked by a jubilant ceremony by the party in Kullu, which was attended by Pradesh Congress Committee president Kaul Singh Thakur. Karan Singh had indicated a desire to join the Congress about four months ago, but the party kept the decision pending for a long time.

Talking over phone from Kullu, Karan Singh said, “I had tried to return to the BJP and had even met the Chief Minister five months ago, when I had conveyed my intentions. However, I did not get a favourable reply.” He said he had got a “respectful entry” into the Congress.

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“CM Prem Kumar Dhumal has become too ambitious and has ignored many genuine party workers,” he alleged, adding that the BJP was crumbling in the state and this would have an adverse impact for the party in the upcoming general elections.

Karan Singh served as education minister in the previous Dhumal government from 1998-2003. He is the younger brother of former BJP state chief and former MP Maheshwar Singh and is considered a prominent leader in Kullu area. Karan Singh said, “When my brother Maheshwar Singh has not been given his due by the party despite being a two-time MP, two-time MLA and holding various important posts in the party, my chances were bleak.”

His decision has come as another jolt for the BJP, which is already shaken after Narender Thakur’s departure.

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