Pune: Former Bhor MLA Sangram Thopte To Join BJP; Cites Neglect By Congress

Pune, 21st April 2025: Former Congress MLA from Bhor, Sangram Thopte, is all set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (22nd April). The formal induction will take place in the presence of Maharashtra  Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil.

Thopte, who served as a Congress MLA for three consecutive terms, announced his decision on Sunday, citing consistent neglect and lack of recognition within the Congress party. “The Congress pushed me to this point. I was never given the opportunity I deserved. I had hoped for roles such as Leader of the Opposition or a working president position, but they never materialized. Even after Nana Patole resigned as Assembly Speaker, I expected the role but was overlooked again,” he stated.

Speculation about Thopte’s switch to the BJP had been ongoing for several days. During his announcement, he laid out a list of unfulfilled expectations and grievances, dating back to 2019. Despite his electoral success and contribution to his constituency’s development, Thopte claimed he was never granted political clout by the Congress leadership, particularly in western Maharashtra.

“I’m not joining the BJP for any post, and I haven’t been promised one,” he clarified. “Even after being elected three times, I was never empowered politically. Had I been, the 2019 Assembly election scenario might have looked different,” he added.

Thopte emphasized that the decision to switch parties was not personal but came after discussions with his supporters. “There was a collective feeling among my workers that to continue the pace of development in our constituency, we needed to be part of the ruling party. The BJP, both at the state and national level, is in power and is the right platform to expedite development work,” he added further.