Bhopal, November 3: In a major jolt to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, his brother-in-law Sanjay Singh Masani joined the Congress with barely days remaining for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections 2018.

Inducted into the party in presence of senior leaders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia, Masani said the results of upcoming polls are written on the walls. "The state does not need a Shivraj but a Nath," he added, indicating that the next government would be formed under the Congress veteran's leadership. Congress Releases 1st List With 155 Candidates, Check Constituency-Wise Details Here.

"We all know how Chhindwara has been developed and is identified with Kamal Nath. The state also needs to be identified with him," Masani further said. The Chhindwara constituency is represented in the Lok Sabha by Nath.

The BJP rebel claimed that the electorate will take down Shivraj Singh Chouhan government for two major reasons: lack of industrial development and looming unemployment.

"No steps were taken to address these issues in the last 5 years. As a result, there is a large population sho can't find suitable jobs," he said, while addressing the press.

Nath, who accompanied Masana before the reporters, said the latter's switch to the Congress reflects the mood of Madhya Pradesh. "Every section of the society wants to get rid of this corrupt BJP government," he said.

Notably, Masana has been on the radar of state Congress leadership for the past couple of years. The party had in 2015 accused him of "helping" a rape-accused, followed by procuring land at a throw-away price in Balaghat, and had been continuously demanding a registration of FIR against him.

BJP insiders claim that Masana's exit was triggered when the party high command decided not to issue him a ticket from Waraseoni in Balaghat district -- from where he had expressed his will to contest. Instead, the party has reposed faith in incumbent lawmaker from the seat, Yogendra Nirmal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 03, 2018 11:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).