The former Congress candidate from Indore Lok Sabha constituency, Akshay Kanti Bam, addressed the withdrawal of his nomination and subsequent switch to BJP. Bam claimed that the lack of support from the party organization forced him out of the election race.
Indeed, when Bam withdrew his candidacy at the last minute on April 29, the Congress party effectively bowed out of the competition for the Indore seat. Subsequently, Bam switched allegiance to the BJP.
The businessman-turned-politician explained his reasons to media at the BJP office in Indore, saying, "As a Congress nominee, I worked tirelessly to garner votes. Yet, a challenge of this magnitude cannot be met without support from the party organization."
Concerns Voiced to Jitu Patwari
Bam disclosed that his campaign events were postponed and campaign materials failed to reach grassroots workers while he was the Congress candidate. Before opting out of the race, Bam communicated his concerns about the lack of support to Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari on three separate occasions.
Bam reported that a senior Congress leader was present at the Indore airport for two hours, yet no rally was held. He refused to disclose the identity of the involved senior leader.
'I Felt No Confidence from Them'
In response to the Congress Party's accusations, Bam retorted, "What constitutes a traitor? Why did Congress opt for a dummy candidate in Moti Singh? This indicates a fundamental lack of trust in me," he asserted.
When asked whether his electoral withdrawal shortly after an amendment to include an attempted murder charge (Section 307) over a 17-year-old land dispute case, Bam dismissed these allegations from the Congress. He suggested that such cases were intentionally brought to light following his congressional candidate announcement from Indore.
No Comment on Sumitra Mahajan's Statement
Bam declined to comment on remarks by senior BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan, who had expressed surprise at Bam's last-minute withdrawal from the electoral fray and deemed it inappropriate. Mahajan also emphasized voters' rights to make decisions within a democratic system.
Now a BJP member, Akshay Kanti Bam said, "Tai (Mahajan) is not just a leader in Indore but a significant figure nationally. I am too small to comment on her statement," shared Bam.
