Former BJP leader Anna Dange joins NCP

Mumbai, Sep 30 (UNI) Former Maharashtra minister and ex-BJP leader Anna Dange today joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil and Finance Minister Jayant Patil.

Mr Dange, who belongs to the backward Dhangar community, will formally join the NCP at Sangli in the presence of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on October six.

Mr Dange said Mr Pawar was the only leader who worked for the poor and farmers.

He said even though he has joined the NCP, his political outfit Lokrajya party would continue to exist, which he had floated a few years ago after he quit from the BJP.

''But, I will not be associated with it,'' he clarified.

Mr Patil, in a lighter vein, said: ''Anna Dange's entry into the NCP will boost the party's prospects in the state and especially in Sangli district. Anna gave me a tough time in Jat-Kavthemahakal area of my constituency and Jayant Patil in Walwa. We can now concentrate on development and governance rather than protecting our respective constituencies.'' Mr Dange has been an MLC and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council. During the Shiv Sena-BJP rule, he was minister of social welfare and rural development.

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