The former Congress MP and education baron from Vidarbha, Datta Meghe, quit the party along with his two sons on Monday and announced plans to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Mr. Meghe’s son Sagar had contested the Wardha seat on the Congress ticket after winning the candidature in a U.S.-style primary, the brainchild of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Sagar lost the elections and will now join the BJP with his father.

“I am convinced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will lead Vidarbha and the entire State towards development. I want to work under their leadership. I am joining the BJP on July 5 without expecting any post,” Mr. Datta Meghe said in a letter to Maharashtra Congress chief Manikrao Thakre.

Mr. Datta Meghe served as Cabinet Minister in several State governments. He was a four-time MP from Vidarbha.