Gourav Vallabh, Shergill, Shehzad, and Bahuguna: From critics to allies, why Congress spokespersons are joining BJP

In a significant political move, Gourav Vallabh, a vocal spokesperson for the Congress party, has shifted allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This transition marks another instance of a Congress member crossing over to the BJP in recent years.

Vallabh, known for his active presence on social media platforms where he often criticized BJP policies, announced his resignation from the Congress this morning. He cited dissatisfaction with the party's leadership and direction as the primary reasons for his departure. Emphasizing his stance, Vallabh stated, "I can neither raise anti-Sanatan slogans nor abuse wealth creators day in and day out. Therefore, I resign from all posts and primary membership of the party."

This move is not an isolated incident within the Congress party. Over the past few years, several prominent figures, including Jaiveer Shergill, Shehzad Poonawalla, and Rita Bahuguna Joshi, have made similar shifts to the BJP. Shergill, who spent a decade with the Congress, criticized the party's internal workings before joining the BJP in 2022. Poonawalla, another notable Congress spokesperson, voiced concerns about the party's organizational structure before switching sides in 2017.


Joshi, a former Congress spokesperson and state minister, made her move to the BJP in 2016 following differences within the Congress leadership. Priyanka Chaturvedi also left the Congress in 2019, joining the Shiv Sena, citing reasons of dissatisfaction and disagreement with the party's decisions.

The recurring theme among these exits is the perception of inaccessibility within the Congress leadership and criticism of dynastic politics. Shergill and Poonawalla both expressed frustrations with the party's internal workings and its leadership's approach. Similarly, Joshi and Chaturvedi highlighted concerns about the party's decision-making processes and the lack of opportunities for growth.

Vallabh's departure comes at a crucial juncture for the Congress party, particularly ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. His exit poses a challenge to the party's public relations efforts, coinciding with controversies involving other senior Congress leaders. Supriya Shrinate, one of the party's prominent faces, faced criticism for a social media post targeting a BJP candidate. Additionally, leaders like Pawan Khera and Randeep Surjewala have been embroiled in controversies, adding further strain to the party's narrative.