In a massive dent for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, the former Union Minister Vijay Sampla on Wednesday joined the Congress. Vijay Sampal joined the Congress days after BJP announced its list of candidates in Punjab and fielded Anita Som Prakash from Hoshaipur Constituency. Anita Som Prakash is the wife of Union Minister Som Prakash who is the current MP from the same seat.
As per reports, former Cabinet Minister Vijay Sampla was unhappy after the BJP fielded Anita Som Prakash from the Hoshairpur Seat. Not only this, Sampla was denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 by the BJP. On Wednesday morning, Vijay Sampla removed the 'Modi Ka Parivar' tagline from his official X handle hinting that all is not well with him and the saffron camp. Reports further suggested that Vijay Sampla was removed from the post of the Chairperson of the National SC Commission.
Interestingly, Sampla had hinted about switching loyalty when he was quoted saying, "When one door is shut, God provides several other openings. He must have determined another path for me. I am thankful to all those who have supported me."
For the unversed, Vijay Sampla served as Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes between 2021 to 2023. Sampla is a former Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment from 2014 to 2019 and a former member of parliament from Hoshiarpur.