Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Rahul Gandhi Persuades Rahul Bondre to Stay With Congress
Rahul Bondre was a former Congress legislator from Chikhli in Maharashtra.
He had announced that he would join the BJP.
A ceremony for the switch was planned in Mumbai on September 22.
Before it happened, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called him at night.
Gandhi reportedly promised that Congress would support Bondre during political pressure.
Gandhi also told him that people sometimes lose before they win.
Bondre then decided to stay with Congress.
Congress leaders viewed the decision as important because Bondre had been facing political and business-related pressure.
Former Congress MLA Rahul Bondre reportedly canceled his planned BJP induction after a late-night call from Rahul Gandhi.
Bondre was scheduled to join the BJP on September 22 in Mumbai alongside Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal reportedly asked Gandhi to speak with Bondre about reconsidering his decision.
Gandhi reportedly assured Bondre that Congress would support him and said, “To win, you must lose sometimes.”
Bondre, a two-term MLA from Chikhli, later said he was ready to sacrifice everything while standing with Gandhi and Congress.
- Who
- Rahul Bondre, former Congress MLA from Chikhli, and Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition.
- What
- Bondre reportedly withdrew from a planned move to the BJP and decided to remain with Congress.
- When
- The reversal occurred shortly before Bondre’s planned induction on September 22; the reported intervention came the previous night.
- Where
- The political dispute centered on Chikhli in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, while the planned induction was to take place in Mumbai.
- Why
- Bondre reportedly cited political pressure and recent electoral losses, while Gandhi assured him of Congress support.
Congress and Bondre’s Reversal
BJP and the Planned Induction
Bondre’s political future
Congress and Bondre’s Reversal
Congress reportedly persuaded Bondre to remain with the party by promising support during political pressure.
BJP and the Planned Induction
BJP leaders in Buldhana had welcomed Bondre’s announced decision to join, and a formal induction had been scheduled.
Political pressure
Congress and Bondre’s Reversal
Bondre reportedly said he faced pressure connected to his political and business interests, while Congress leaders said the party would help him counter the BJP’s alleged intimidating tactics.
BJP and the Planned Induction
The reports describe the BJP’s proposed induction and Mahale’s welcome but do not include a detailed BJP response to the allegations.
Importance for party leadership
Congress and Bondre’s Reversal
Congress leaders viewed Bondre’s retention as a boost for Sapkal, who had been supporting him and opposing the Maharashtra government.
BJP and the Planned Induction
The proposed move was seen by Congress sources as potentially destabilising for Sapkal because Bondre is from Sapkal’s home district.
- Political figure
- Rahul Bondre is a former Congress MLA from Chikhli in Buldhana district.
- Electoral record
- Bondre won Chikhli in 2009 and 2014, then lost to BJP’s Shweta Mahale in 2019 and 2024.
- Planned BJP induction
- Bondre was expected to join the BJP in Mumbai on September 22 in the presence of Devendra Fadnavis.
- Congress intervention
- Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal reportedly asked Rahul Gandhi to contact Bondre.
- Reported assurance
- Gandhi reportedly said Congress would stand with Bondre and offer help against alleged intimidating tactics.
- Reported quote
- “To win, you must lose sometimes,” Gandhi reportedly told Bondre.
- Bondre’s response
- Bondre said he was ready to sacrifice everything while standing with Rahul Gandhi and Congress.
