Congress says ex-MLA pressured to join BJP, refused after Rahul Gandhi’s intervention
The Maharashtra Congress alleges that former MLA Rahul Bondre was pressured by the BJP to switch parties, using police notices regarding his educational institution as leverage. Bondre reportedly refused to defect following intervention from Rahul Gandhi.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the intense political rivalry and allegations of state machinery misuse in Maharashtra's political landscape.
Congress says ex-MLA pressured to join BJP, refused after Rahul Gandhi’s intervention The Congress said former MLA Rahul Bondre was being targeted with police notices over his educational institution in Chikhli after he declined to switch sides Mumbai The Maharashtra Congress has alleged that its former MLA, Rahul Bondre, was pressured to join the ruling BJP and was being targeted with police notices concerning his educational institution, after deciding against switching sides. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi personally called Mr. Bondre, assured him of support and advised him to fight without fear, following which he decided against joining the BJP, the Opposition party said in a post on X on Sunday (October 19, 2026). The Congress said it stood firmly behind Mr.
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