Patna (Bihar): In a major jolt to Mukesh Sahani-led Vikasheel Insan Party (VIP), all its three MLAs on Wednesday quit the party and joined Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). The three MLAs also pledged their support for the BJP in the state assembly. With this, the number of BJP MLAs in Bihar has increased and it has become the single largest party in Bihar with 77 MLAs.
The aforesaid legislators Raju Singh, Swarna Singh and Mishrilal Yadav met the state Legislative assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha on Wednesday evening and submitted him a letter of support in favour of the BJP. After which they formally merged with the BJP.
The three legislators said that the VIP has only three MLAs in the House and all of them have joined the BJP, hence, the anti-defection act is not applicable to them. As per the act, if two-thirds of legislators of a party join another party, they cannot be penalised under it. Raju Singh accused Sahani of having "no political knowledge"."He works like a businessman in politics. He does not have any political sense. We have taken the decision in the interest of the state and the country," he said. Yadav also expressed similar views.
Reacting to the matter, state BJP chief Jaiswal said that 'Ghar Wapsi' for the MLAs. "The three MLAs of VIP have given the joining letter to the Speaker on Wednesday. They were basically BJP workers in the past. After the agreement with the VIP during the 2020 Bihar assembly election, they joined the VIP to contest the election. Now, it is a Ghar Wapsi for them today." He and Prasad and Renu Devi offered saffron turbans of BJP to them to officially welcome them into the party.