Nand Kumar Sai, senior tribal leader and former BJP MP, joins Congress in Chhattisgarh

In a jolt to the BJP, the former MP mentioned in his resignation letter on Sunday that he was hurt by some party leaders who were tarnishing his public image. The ruling Congress was quick to jump on the issue and a senior leader said Sai was most welcome to join the party.

In his resignation letter, the tribal leader said: “Throughout my journey in the BJP, I was given various important posts and duties which I discharged with full dedication and devotion and I thank the party for it. But for the last few years, with the aim of tarnishing my image in the Bharatiya Janata Party, my dignity is constantly being hurt by false allegations and other activities conspired against me by political rivals of my own party. Due to which I am feeling extremely hurt and after thinking very deeply, I am resigning from my primary membership… and all my posts.”

Speaking to the media, Chhattisgarh state BJP in-charge and MP Arun Sao said Sunday, “He is a very senior leader. We will speak with him and if there is a miscommunication, we will clear it.”

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: Dr Nand Kumar Sai joins Congress in the presence of Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, in Raipur.

Nand Kumar Sai tendered his resignation from BJP yesterday. pic.twitter.com/bUL2ILHeBY

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) May 1, 2023

Asked about the impact of Sai’s resignation ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, former chief minister Raman Singh too said on Sunday, “We have just received his resignation. We will try to bring him back to the party.”

Meanwhile, Congress media cell chief Sushil Kumar Shukla said, “For a long time, the BJP has been insulting and hurting their tribal leaders. Sai had done a lot for the BJP but he too faced a lot of insult in the party and was forced to quit.”

Nand Kumar Sai was elected to the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1977, 1985 and 1998. After the formation of Chhattisgarh, he was elected in 2000 and was the first Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly. Sai won elections to the Lok Sabha in 1989, 1996 and 2004.

He was also elected to Rajya Sabha in 2009 and 2010 and served as a member of the Parliamentary standing committee on coal and steel and as a member of the Parliamentary consultative committee of the ministries of urban development, and ministry of social justice and empowerment.

Sai has been actively involved in the spread of education in tribal areas. An ardent supporter of prohibition, he has been at the forefront of various movements to oppose the exploitation of tribals and atrocities against them.