NDC DESK
In a key political move just before the Lok Sabha elections, former Congress MLA Sangram Thopte joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Pune on Monday.
Thopte, who has been a well-known Congress leader in the Pune region, is the son of senior politician and former Maharashtra minister Anantrao Thopte. He was welcomed into the BJP by senior leaders at a formal event in the city.
A two-time MLA from the Bhor constituency, Thopte’s decision to switch parties comes at a time when both the Congress and BJP are preparing their teams and strategies for the elections. His joining is seen as a boost to the BJP’s efforts to expand its presence in Western Maharashtra—a region where the Congress and NCP have traditionally been strong.
After joining the BJP, Thopte told reporters that he was inspired by the party’s focus on development and good governance. “I want to work for the people with new energy and direction,” he said.
Sources in the Congress said Thopte had been unhappy for some time, especially with delays in ticket announcements and internal disagreements. The party has not yet made an official comment on his exit.
Thopte’s move adds to the growing list of Congress leaders who have shifted to the BJP in recent weeks. With the elections around the corner, such changes are expected to play an important role in shaping the political scene in Maharashtra.
It remains to be seen how this decision will affect voter mood in the Pune district, where both parties are trying hard to win support.
