Japan K Pathak, Gandhinagar: Former BJP leader from Lunawada and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader from Balasinor along with their scores of supporters from central Gujarat joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today, along with their supporters in the presence of State Party chief CR Patil at party headquarters Shri Kamalam here.

J. P. Patel, who was formerly associated with the BJP and held the position of president of the Lunawada assembly constituency unit of BJP in the Mahisagar district, rejoined the ruling BJP. JP’s rebellion had resulted in the defeat of the BJP candidate and then-sitting MLA Jigneshkumar Sevak on the Lunawada seat.  Sevak was one of the few Brahmin candidates of the BJP in the regular election of the State Assembly last year. JP Patel wanted the party to field him. When denied a ticket, Patel rebelled and mobilized Patel community votes in his favor. While the BJP candidate got 45,467 votes, Patel got 43,749 votes. Division of votes resulted in the victory of Congress candidate Gulabsinh Chauhan who got 72,087 votes.  With Patel’s re-induction to the party, the BJP has once again strengthened its position in this assembly segment ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year.  It’s worth noting that before the assembly polls last year, the State party chief had announced that no rebel would be inducted back to the party after the election.

Udaisinh Ji Chauhan, an AAP leader and former candidate from the Balasinor assembly district, also joined the BJP today. Chauhan as AAP candidate from Balasinor had got considerably well 39,000 votes last year in the State assembly polls. He stood third, just behind the Congress candidate Ajitsinh Chauhan who got 40,620 votes. BJP candidate with 91,835 votes had won Balasinor seat.

Along with Patel and Chauhan, several Taluka Panchayat leaders, APMC leaders and Patidar leaders joined the BJP.

State BJP chief C. R. Paatil warmly welcomed these leaders and workers into the party, presenting with a saffron scarf and a cap. DeshGujarat