Deepak Joshi not a BJP primary member, party clarifies:Former minister in spotlight after 4th marriage; had announced ‘homecoming’ on Shivraj’s stage

The Bharatiya Janata Party has clarified that former minister Deepak Joshi is not part of the party, despite public speculation about his return. The clarification comes after his recent marriage to Pallavi Raj Saxena, a former state secretary of the Mahila Congress, brought him back into political focus. BJP leaders have said clearly that Joshi has neither rejoined the party nor taken even basic membership. BJP distances itself from Deepak Joshi The BJP organisation said Deepak Joshi has not returned to the party. It stated that he is currently not even a primary member of the BJP. The clarification was issued after discussions began following Joshi’s marriage on December 4. Marriage sparks political discussion Deepak Joshi married Pallavi Raj Saxena, who earlier served as state secretary of the Mahila Congress. After news of the marriage spread, political circles began speculating about Joshi’s possible return to the BJP. Joshi left BJP and joined Congress in 2023 Deepak Joshi left the BJP on May 6, 2023. He joined the Congress in Bhopal after walking from his official residence to the Congress office with a photograph of his late father, former Chief Minister Kailash Joshi. At that time, he strongly criticised the BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh. Contested election on Congress ticket After joining Congress, Joshi contested the Assembly election from the Khategaon seat in Dewas district. Despite resistance from local Congress leaders, senior leaders Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath supported his candidature. Joshi lost the election to BJP candidate Ashish Sharma by 12,542 votes. ‘Ghar Wapsi’ claim after election loss After losing the election, Joshi announced his return to the BJP during the Budhni Assembly by-election. He made this statement from the stage in the presence of former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. BJP leaders deny any formal return Dewas BJP District President Rai Singh Sendhav said the party has not granted membership to Deepak Joshi. He said that although Joshi may have been welcomed symbolically at a public event, no formal process was completed. According to him, Joshi never took membership when VD Sharma was state president. ‘Not even a primary member,’ says BJP Rai Singh Sendhav said clearly that Deepak Joshi is not even a basic member of the BJP as of today. He added that symbolic gestures at public meetings do not mean formal rejoining. State BJP confirms no rejoining BJP State General Secretary and former office in-charge Bhagwandas Sabnani also confirmed that Joshi has not formally returned to the party. He said there has been no official approval or membership process completed. Planned return on March 11 did not happen During the Lok Sabha elections last year, Joshi was expected to rejoin the BJP on March 11. He had told Dainik Bhaskar that he was “someone who strayed in the morning and returned home in the evening”. BJP did not give final approval Joshi was asked to reach the BJP office in Bhopal by 11:30 am on March 11. However, he did not arrive. On the same day, former MLAs Arunoday Chaube and Shivdayal Bagri joined the BJP. Joshi’s return did not happen as the party had not given final approval. Earlier rejoining claims created confusion At different times, reports emerged claiming Joshi had rejoined the BJP in Budhni. Party sources later said there was no consensus among senior leaders, which is why his return was postponed.Deepak Joshi, son of former Chief Minister Kailash Joshi and a three-time BJP MLA, remains outside both major parties for now. The BJP has made it clear that, despite public appearances and past claims, Joshi has no official status in the party at present.