Jyotiraditya Scindia embraces BJP

New Delhi: Jyotiraditya Scindia, once among Rahul Gandhi's closest aides, joined the BJP on Wednesday, ending his 18-year association with the Congress, the party of his father.

Speaking at the induction ceremony, Scindia said, "I would like to thank JP Nadda Ji, PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah that they invited me to their family and gave me a place in it." "There have been two life-changing events for me - one, the day I lost my father and the second, yesterday when I decided to choose a new path for my life."

Welcoming Scindia into the party, Nadda said, "Today is a matter of great happiness for all of us. I am remembering our senior-most leader, the late Rajmata Scindia.

Both the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and the BJP have been a major contributor to the ideology from the founding and establishment of the party.

"Jyotiraditya Ji is joining his family today, I welcome him heartily. Rajmata Ji has been an idol for us and a leader who gives a vision and direction to all of us. She helped the party to advance its ideology from infancy. I extend my heartfelt greetings on my behalf and behalf of all the workers."

Scindia's exit along with 21 Madhya Pradesh MLAs endangers the Congress in a major state where it had come to power just 15 months ago. On Tuesday, as Holi was celebrated across the country, Jyotiraditya Scindia drove his SUV to Home Minister Amit Shah's home, from where the two together went to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home.

Immediately after the meeting, he tweeted his resignation letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, talking about a "fresh start" and mentioning "this path has been drawing out over the last year".

"Having been a primary member of the Congress for the last 18 years, it is now time for me to move on. I am tendering my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress and as you well know, this path has been drawing out over the last year," Scindia said in his resignation letter dated on Tuesday.

Expressing happiness over Scindia joining the party, BJP chief J P Nadda remembered Scindia's grandmother and party's co-founder late Vijaya Raje Scindia. The BJP chief said entry of Scindia in BJP is like a family member coming back to the party.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief Nadda for inviting him into their family (BJP), Scindia said he was hurt and distressed as he (Scindia) was not able to serve the people in his previous party.

Scindia said his aim has always been to serve the people and politics is only a means to fulfil that. There is denial of reality in Congress, it has changed what the party used to be, Scindia added.

"Congress is no longer what it used to be, it is living in denial," Mr Scindia said after his induction into the BJP, wearing the party's saffron silk scarf. He also heaped praise on PM Modi, saying "the country is safe in his hands," he added.

Scindia said, "Country's future totally secure in PM Modi's hands and I feel fortunate that Modi, BJP chief Nadda has gave me the platform through which I can serve the people."