Veteran Cong. Leader Rita Joshi may join BJP

TIL Desk/National/Lucknow/ In what is considered as a big jolt to the Indian National Congress ahead of the uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which are scheduled for 2017, party veteran Rita Bahuguna Joshi is rumoured to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Reports have suggested that Joshi has already met party President Amit Shah and other senior leaders of the saffron party to discuss her switch to BJP. Currently the MLA from Lucknow Cant, Joshi’s exit might deliver a big blow to the Sonia Gandhi-led Grand Old Party, whose performance in the past State elections has been abysmal. Joshi has served as the state Congress president in the past and has enjoyed a position of repute amonsgt the party members.

Meanwhile, Joshi’s brother Vijay Bahuguna has refuted the reports, saying that they are mere rumours and there is no truth in them. It is pertinent here to mention that Vijay Bahuguna Joshi, who has been the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh under the Congress’ flag, had himself jumped from congress to BJP.

Media reports have also suggested that Rita Bahuguna Joshi also held meetings with the Samajwadi Party (SP), before deciding to join the saffron party, which has been campaigning aggressively in the state. BJP has not yet announced a Chief Ministerial candidate for the elections, which are due early next year. So far, the party has lead a typical high-decible campaign, which has largely banked on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his charisma.