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Former Union Minister Birendra Singh Makes Ideological Shift, Joins Congress

Kalyani Jha
09 Apr, 2024

In a significant move ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, former Union Minister Birendra Singh, along with his ex-MLA wife Prem Lata, returned to the Congress party after a stint with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Singh described his return to the grand old party as a “return of ideology,” emphasizing his alignment with the principles and beliefs of the Congress.

Singh’s association with the BJP began in 2014 when he left the Congress, marking a shift in his political journey. His son, Brijendra Singh, a sitting MP from Hisar, had also recently joined the Congress, further signaling the family’s transition back to their ideological roots.

During his tenure in the BJP, Birendra Singh held crucial ministries in both the NDA and UPA governments, including Union Steel Minister and Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and Drinking Water and Sanitation. His return to the Congress is seen as a significant development in Haryana politics, given his stature and experience in governance.

The decision to join the Congress was driven by what Singh referred to as “compelling political reasons.” This included disagreements with the BJP’s stance on various issues, notably the farmers’ protests against the now-repealed farm laws. Both Singh and his son had expressed solidarity with the farmers’ agitation, diverging from the BJP’s narrative.

Additionally, Singh cited concerns over BJP’s alliances, particularly with the Dushyant Chautala-led Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), as a factor contributing to his departure from the BJP. The move underscores the shifting dynamics and alignments within Haryana’s political landscape, setting the stage for an intriguing contest in the upcoming elections.