Former MP from Godda and leader of Jharkhand Vikas Dal Suraj Mandal joined the BJP on Sunday in the presence of State party president Laxman Gilua. Host of other leaders such as Salini Gupta of Koderma Zila Parisad and Sunil Kumar Singh of AAP also switched to the saffron party.

Mandal once into Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, had set up his own party. He had represented the Lok Sabha constituency in 1991. Welcoming Mandal and others on the occasion the BJP chief said the party is committed to nationalism.

“Only is BJP committed to national interest while the rest are committed to their family interests. Now people of this country have lone faith over the BJP under which India is progressing all round and getting respect at the world stage,” said Gilua.  

He also named welfare schemes launched by the prime ministership of Narendra Modi such as Jan-Dhan scheme, Ujjwala, PMAY, Ayushaman Bharat to drive home his point. Speaking on the occasion Mandal hit out the JMM for nepotism.

“We had fought for separate Jharkhand for the State and not for any family and other members. It was paining me and to turn the dreams of martyrs into reality I have come to the BJP. The country has become powerful in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am thankful to the BJP for providing me the platform and work harder to again reinstate him to the position,” said the leader.

BJP State vice president Aditya Sahu helped the leaders in joining the party through online mode. MLA Navin Jaiswal, BJP spokesperson Pratull Shahdeo and several others were present on the occasion.