Raj: Socialist Gopal Pacherwal joins BJP

Jaipur, Aug 29: Janata Dal(U) leader and former MP Gopal Pacherwal today joined the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

Mr Pacherwl joined the saffron party at a simple ceremony at the Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's official residence here. Ms Raje welcomed Mr Pacherwal in the party. BJP state general secretary Ram Lal Jat was also present.

However, most of the BJP state office bearers including state president Dr Mahesh Sharma were absent. These leaders were busy at a meeting at BJP state heddquarters in the neighbouring locality, Mr Jat said.

Expressing happiness over his entry into BJP fold, Mr Pacherwal told reporters that he joined BJP with motive to advance his anti Congress politics in a more effective manner.

He said most of his supporters in the JD(U) in the state have also decided to join BJP.

Mr Pacherwal, seasoned socialist worker, had represented the Tonk(SC) Parliamentary Constituency of Rajasthan once in 1989.

He had also won Assembly election from Kesoraipatan of Bundi district twice.

Political pundits believe that Mr Pacherwal wa brought into the saffron party on initiatives from Chief Minister Ms Raje.

Ms Raje's move was seen as a bid to counter the influence of Dalit leader MP Kailash Meghwal who had taken rebellion against her government on a couple of occasions recently.

UNI