Jaipur: NPP MLA from Rajasthan Kirodilal Meena has joined the BJP, informed sources said on Saturday. An official confirmation is yet to come.
This will lead to the merger of the National People’s Party (NPP), formed by former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma, with the BJP in Rajasthan.
BJP media chief Anand Sharma told IANS that an official announcement in this regard will be made soon.
New political equations will be formed in the state with Meena rejoining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after nine years. He will bring four other MLAs with him, the source said.
The BJP will benefit from Meena joining it as he will bring the support of the Meena community.
Meena’s brother Jagmohan Meena, sources said, is likely to be the BJP candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls.
Kirodilal Meena left the party in 2008 owing to differences with then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
In 2008, he contested elections as an independent candidate and supported Ashok Gehlot who became the Chief Minister. His wife Golma Devi Meena served as a state minister under Gehlot’s tenure.
In 2013, Kirodilal Meena joined the NPP. During 2014 elections, the NPP declared 200 candidates but got only four seats.
Those who will join the BJP with Meena include his wife Golma Devi, MLA Geeta Verma, Naveen Pilaya and another legislator.
IANS