Rahul Bondre Stays with Congress After Rahul Gandhi’s Intervention

Mumbai, September 23: Former Congress MLA Rahul Bondre, a two-time representative from Chikhli in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, has decided against joining the BJP following a late-night phone call from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Bondre had announced plans to join the BJP in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, but reconsidered after Gandhi urged him to remain with Congress.Bondre won the Chikhli Assembly seat in 2009 and 2014, but lost to BJP’s Shweta Mahale in 2019 and 2024. Congress leaders reportedly intervened because of Bondre’s longstanding grassroots network in the constituency. Following the conversation, Bondre said he would remain with Congress.