Rahul Gandhi's call stops Rahul Bondre from joining BJP in Maharashtra

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, intervened by telephone to stop former MLA Rahul Bondre from leaving the party for the Bharatiya Janata Party, a conversation that became public on Monday night.

Mr. Bondre, who represented the Chikhli Assembly seat in Buldhana district and served two terms there, had indicated a day earlier that he intended to switch sides. In a video statement, he said he had spent his entire political career with the Congress and remained grateful for the guidance he received over the years. He added that even though he was changing direction, his respect for everyone in the party would remain unchanged.

His move to the BJP had been arranged, with a reception planned in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. That plan was called off after the Congress leadership stepped in.

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal arranged for Mr. Gandhi to speak with Mr. Bondre. On the call, Mr. Gandhi urged him not to give in to psychological pressure, describing him as a loyal Congressman and warning that such pressure was aimed at weakening the competition. He told Mr. Bondre that losing is the foundation of victory and that one cannot win without it.

Mr. Bondre responded by assuring Mr. Gandhi that he would commit himself fully to the party's work. Addressing him as a brother, he said that he had stayed with the Congress for Mr. Gandhi's sake and that the call had given him the courage to fight again. He said he had already lost much and would stand by Mr. Gandhi even if he lost everything.

Mr. Gandhi ended the conversation by telling him not to worry.

Mr. Bondre retains considerable influence in the Chikhli constituency, which is currently represented by BJP leader Shweta Mahale.