Shift marks a major political realignment in Andaman’s local politics
The political landscape of Nayagaon Mandal witnessed a dramatic shift as nearly 300 residents, including prominent Congress leaders, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a membership drive held at the party’s state office in Srivijayapuram.
Among the key entrants were C. Elango, a youth leader with a strong following in Ward No. 11, and Sridevi, daughter-in-law of former councillor M. Bose, from Ward No. 10. Their defection from the Congress to the BJP is being seen as a symbolic collapse of the Congress stronghold in the Nayagaon belt.
The induction took place in the presence of BJP State President Anil Kumar Tiwari, who personally welcomed the new members. Party officials including State Vice President Sheela Singh, State General Secretary G. Paramasivam, and former State President Vishal Jolly also attended the event.
According to BJP functionaries, this is the first time in the political history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that such a large number of young men and women have simultaneously joined a single party. The move is being attributed to what the BJP describes as the “public welfare initiatives” of the Modi government, which they claim are resonating across social groups in the islands.
Speaking at the occasion, Tiwari said that the growing support reflected people’s confidence in the BJP’s leadership and governance model. “The work we are doing is reaching every section of society, and the response today shows that people are ready for change,” he remarked while addressing the gathering.
For the Congress, the exodus of grassroots leaders and supporters is being seen as a setback in a region it once dominated. Observers note that the defection of Elango, who has a considerable youth following, may shift voter sentiment in the wards ahead of upcoming elections. The large-scale membership drive is the latest in a series of high-profile moves by the BJP to expand its base in the islands.
