Confirmed: Shatrughan Sinha set to join Congress on March 28

After some initial hiccups, BJP rebel Shatrughan Sinha is all set to join Congress on March 28 in the presence of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, National Herald has learnt.

A reliable source has confirmed to Herald that Sinha who has been on the forefront of PM Modi’s critics in the BJP, has finally made up his mind after the saffron party announced Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad as its candidate for Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat last week.

Angry with his party’s decision, Sinha tweeted : “I am capable of paying back”.

Sinha who is very active in the micro blogging site Twitter, though remained tight-lipped about his joining the Congress.

However, a close look at his time line reveals he indicated on many occasions that his days in the BJP are numbered. A few months back he said in a tweet : “Mohabbat karne wale kam na honge, teri mehfil mein lekin ham na honge”.

Unfazed by back to back political snubs, Sinha tried his luck with Congress, claimed a Patna based observer. In the last few months he has constantly been in touch with the Congress high command, said the source.

On Monday, when Congress president announced Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY), Sinha was among the first few from the political fraternity to praise the scheme. He called Rahul Gandhi “master of situation.”

A known loyalist of the BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani, Sinha remained unhappy with his party brasses ever since PM Modi took the charge. He along with former former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha have openly criticised many flagship schemes launched by the Modi government, including demonetisation.

Political observers believe that the Congress will be benefitted by his joining in Bihar, as he being a film star, not only has a huge fan base in Patna, but across the state. This fanbase can be converted into Congress vote, said an analyst.