After the Bharatiya Janta Party claimed that over 2.58 Lakh individuals predominantly from the Congress party joined them, Madhya Pradesh Congress on Sunday challenged the Saffron party to to provide evidence for the same.

This comes in response to statements made by former minister Narottam Mishra, who asserted that a significant number of people had switched allegiance to the BJP over the past three months, with 1.26 lakh purportedly joining on April 6 alone.

State Congress chief Jitu Patwari, addressing reporters, questioned the authenticity of the BJP's claims, asserting that while the BJP had publicised the names of prominent leaders who had joined their ranks, amounting to 336 individuals—they had yet to disclose the identities of the alleged 2.58 lakh grassroots workers who supposedly made the switch. Patwari accused the BJP of deceiving the public with unsubstantiated assertions.

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"I challenge them, will the BJP release the list of 2.58 lakh workers who have joined their party?", Patwari said.

Patwari further alleged that several individuals associated with mafias operating in sectors such as mining, sand, transport, and education entities that conduct business with the government had aligned themselves with the BJP. He claimed that many of these individuals had been expelled from other parties due to disciplinary issues.

"Those expelled from different parties due to indiscipline have joined the BJP. We have already expelled such people," he said.

Jitu Patwari also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding explanations for the lack of action taken against the accused in the VYAPAM job recruitment scam.

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In response, BJP spokesperson Narendra Saluja countered Patwari's claims by naming prominent Congress leaders on X, who had recently joined the BJP after Patwari assumed his role as state chief. Saluja listed several notable names, including former union minister Suresh Pachouri and Chhindwara mayor Vikram Ahake, among others. He called upon Patwari to clarify whether these individuals were deemed "mafias" by the Congress.

"Patwari should explain if they were mafias," the BJP spokesperson said.