MP Congress MLA joins BJP in the presence of Shivraj Singh Chouhan

, March 31:

MLA Sanjay Pathak, who quit the party alleging ill-treatment, today formally joined the

in the presence of

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Welcoming Pathak, who is an MLA from Vijayraghogarh seat in Katni district, Chouhan said, "His honour will be protected in the BJP."

"Today is an auspicious day as per the Hindu calendar and Pathak is joining BJP on this day to strengthen the ruling party in the state," he said.

Pathak said the Congress was no longer the party of the Mahatma and Nehru

Before joining BJP, Pathak resigned from Congress and his membership in the State Assembly.

Pathak said he resigned from the Congress as the grand old party no longer remained the party of Nehru and Gandhi. He also denied reports that he is joining BJP to protect his mining business.
"If that was the case then I would have joined BJP about six years back," he added.

Besides Pathak, another Congress leader Rajendra Singh Gehlot also joined BJP on the occasion.

PTI