Bhopal: Former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, who joined the BJP, expressed his grievances against the Congress high command, citing both political and religious decisions that led to his departure from the party.
During a press conference marking his induction into the ruling party, Pachouri pinpointed the Congress’s refusal to participate in the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla last year as the primary catalyst for his exit. This decision, which occurred amidst the inauguration of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya on December 22, drew disapproval from Pachouri.
Joined by prominent BJP figures, including former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and MLA Kailash Vijayvargiya, Pachouri said he was not happy with some current moves of the Congress, particularly its shift towards what he termed “divisive politics.”
In a statement to media following his official induction into the BJP, Pachouri stated, “I entered politics to serve society and the country. The Congress’s decision-making on religious and political matters pushed me to the edge and eventually led me to exit the party.”
‘I will not stand with those who do not respect Ram-Ji’
He emphasized his discontent with derogatory remarks allegedly made against Lord Ram during a party event, declaring, “I will not stand with those who do not respect Ram-Ji.”
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for realizing the longstanding dream of building a ‘Ram Mandir’ in Ayodhya, Pachouri denied any political opportunism in his decision to leave the Congress. He stated, “I have never been hungry for power. Even today, I have come here with zero expectations. However, it is clear that the pulse of the people is with the BJP.”
Pachouri criticized the Congress for deviating from its founding principles and policies, asserting that the party has alienated itself from the public and is struggling to regain lost support. BJP state president VD Sharma welcomed Pachouri into the party, describing him as a tall leader in Madhya Pradesh Congress who has found a new home in the BJP, working under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
