Over 2,000 workers and office-bearers from the opposition Congress and the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have joined the ruling BJP in Gujarat.
The ruling party announced that more than 2,000 workers and office-bearers from the opposition Congress and the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have joined the BJP in Gujarat. The induction took place at a function held at the ruling party’s state headquarters in Gandhinagar. Former Leader of Opposition in Rajkot district panchayat Arjun Khatariya, Rajkot district president of Seva Dal Kishorsinh Jadeja, and four members of Rajkot district panchayat – Shardaben Dhaduk, Mira Bhalodia, Gita Chavda, and Gita Chauhan – were among those who joined the BJP from the Congress, as per a release by the saffron party.
These local leaders from Rajkot as well as north and central Gujarat were welcomed into the party in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil. Paatil, while welcoming the new members, emphasized the need to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in strengthening India and Gujarat. He highlighted Modi’s initiatives, such as 50% reservation for women in local bodies and the introduction of 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, as well as steps taken to double farmers’ income through the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
During the event, the state BJP chief criticized the Congress for its divisive politics, while praising PM Modi’s efforts to empower women, farmers, youths, and the poor. The opposition workers and leaders joined the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, with the saffron outfit indicating that the number of opposition workers joining their ranks exceeded 2,000, although they did not provide a party-wise breakdown.