Ex-Gujarat minister Nalin Bhatt rejoins BJP

Former Gujarat minister Nalin Bhatt, who had quit BJP following differences with chief minister Narendra Modi, today rejoined the party. BJP National vice president Purushottam Rupala formally announced that ex-cabinet minister Bhatt has rejoined the party.

Former Gujarat minister Nalin Bhatt, who had quit BJP following differences with chief minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday rejoined the party.

HT Image

BJP national vice president Purushottam Rupala formally announced that ex-cabinet minister Bhatt has rejoined the party.

"I welcome Nalin Bhatt, ex-BJP MLA from Vadodara, in the party. Subah ka bhoola agar shyam ko ghar aa jaaye to use bhoola nahi kehte (If one who has lost his way in the morning returns home by evening has not lost his way)," Rupala told newsmen.

Bhatt had parted ways with BJP in 2006 owing to differences with Narendra Modi. He went on to form Deen Dayal Upadhaya Samiti and used to criticise BJP's 'autocratic style of functioning'.

After joining the party, Bhatt said, "I have no differences with Narendra Modi now. I had quit BJP in September 2006 on day of Ganesh visarjan (immersion), and I am joining the party exactly on the same day in 2012."

Bhatt was recently seen moving with Modi's bitter critique and former chief minister Keshubhai Patel who has formed Gujarat Parivartan Party and would take on BJP in the forthcoming assembly elections.

With regard to former minister of state Amit Shah's return to Gujarat and being given any post in the party, Rupala said, "He has already got associated with party working ..he is familiar with our working style".