Ex-BJP leader Manvendra Singh joins Congress

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Rajasthan, Manvendra Singh on Wednesday joined Congress ahead of the Assembly polls, which is slated to be held in December.

Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot along with several others announced the same while addressing the media in the national capital.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh, who is the son of BJP veteran Jaswant Singh, said, "I met Rahul Gandhi in the morning today and he welcomed me into the party. I am confident that my supporters will continue to support me in the upcoming assembly and general elections."

As Singh joined the party, the Congress leaders slammed the ruling party at the Centre and the state for their arrogance, and hollow promises, while adding that the Congress would win the Assembly and General elections.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that Singh's decision was a personal one, but the Rajputs from Rajasthan would continue to support BJP.

"It's Manvendra Singh's personal decision. His father Jaswant Singh spent his entire life fighting against Congress. It was BJP who gave him respect as the Finance Minister and Defence Minister. It's the same Congress party that didn't appoint any Rajput from Rajasthan as a minister in the Centre in the last 70 years. The Rajputs from Rajasthan were and will continue to support the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said Rathore.

Singh was the Member of the Legislative Assembly from Sheo constituency. He announced his decision to quit BJP last month in a rally.