Keshubhai resigns, GPP, BJP to merge

Gujarat’s former chief minister who had parted ways with BJP ahead of 2012 assembly polls, Keshubhai Patel on Thursday resigned as MLA while his party Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) is set to merge into BJP in next few days.

Gujarat’s former chief minister who had parted ways with BJP ahead of 2012 assembly polls, Keshubhai Patel on Thursday resigned as MLA while his party Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) is set to merge into BJP in next few days.

According to sources, BJP is likely to field his son Bharat Patel from his traditional seat in Visavadar in Saurashtra in the by-election.

“I was not able to give time to my constituency on health grounds so decided to resign as member of the assembly,” the 84 year old two time former chief minister said in a statement

“In next couple of days, GPP’s entire set up will merge into the BJP. They all were BJP leaders and returning to their home,” a BJP general secretary said.