Slew of switchovers from Congress to BJP continue in the State capital. On Monday, Mayor of Chhindwara Vikram Ahake become a member of the saffron fold. It is being seen as a blow to the Congress party especially to former Chief Minister Kamal Nath whose son Nakul Nath is fighting elections from Chhindwara Constituency. Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Vikram’s move has left the grand old in surprise. Moreover, he has been projected as Pradesh’s first tribal Mayor from Chhindwara. It may dent party’s prospects in tribal-dominated region.

 

His elevation was seen as a strategy to counter BJP’s pro-tribal image since the ruling party had fielded tribal leader Droupadi Murmu as the NDA’s presidential candidate. Notably, Vikram’s name was proposed by Senior leader Kamal Nath for mayor post ignoring reservations from some of the leaders from within the party. Earlier, several Congress leaders from Chhindwara have joined the BJP. One such crucial shift is of Kamlesh Pratap Shah, a three-term MLA from Chhindwara Lok Sabha’s Amarwara (Scheduled Tribe reserved), resigned from his Legislative membership and joined the BJP at the Chief Minister’s Residence in Bhopal, along with other Congress leaders from across the State.