In a curious turn of events, NCP leader and former Delhi MlA Ramvir Singh Bidhuri has announced plans to join the BJP days after he refused to join the Congress.
Bidhuri, who was to join the Congress on Friday, will be accepting membership to the BJP, along with his three Councillors, on Tuesday in the presence of BJP president Rajnath Singh, Delhi election in-charge Nitin Gadkari and Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel.
Bidhuri is expected to strengthen BJP’s prospects in South Delhi areas like Badarpur, Tughlakabad and Mehrauli, which are dominated by the Gujjar community.
Sources said Bidhuri changed his mind after he failed to strike a ‘deal’ with the Congress as it was not inclined to offer him a seat in the ensuing polls. Bidhuri however, claims he had not announced plans to join Congress.
“There was no final decision of joining Congress. After holding discussions with the Councillors, I have decided to join BJP,” Bidhuri told The Pioneer, confirming having met the Central BJP leadership, including BJP president Rajnath Singh. A Press statement from Delhi BJP, however, said all these leaders will be joining the party unconditionally.
Besides Bidhuri, three Councillors — Dharamveer Awana, Timsy Kasana and Phholkali Narwaal — from Badarpur Assembly Constituency will also take membership to the BJP. Just over a month ago, seven other sitting Councillors had joined the BJP.
“This reflects the mood of Delhi, where not only people but leaders of other political parties have been finding BJP as the only viable alternative to the ruling Congress Government. These leaders are joining BJP for a common cause and that is, to oust the corruption- riddled Government,” said Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel.
Earlier, on September 6, the Congress had announced that Bidhuri would be joining the party. But, while DPCC, AICC in-charge of Delhi and others kept waiting at a function, Bidhuri did not turn up at the said event.
Congress leaders had then claimed that the NCP leader was late for the function since he was stuck in traffic. However, Bidhuri denied the claims, saying he did not decide on joining the party.