Keshubhai Patel’s son Bharat Patel joins BJP with father’s blessings(Video)

Ahmedabad, 23 December 2013

As we hinted a day back on Twitter, former Gujarat Chief Minister and Gujarat Parivartan Party leader Keshubhai Patel’s son Bharat Patel has rejoined BJP today evening in presence of Gujarat BJP president R.C.Faldu, BJP leader Surendra Patel, Vijay Rupani and Bharat Pandya among others at a press conference held at Gujarat BJP headquarters in Ahmedabad.

During an interaction, Bharat Patel told media persons that he was joining BJP with consent of his father. He said he discussed his decision with his father and his father asked him to go ahead.

Bharat Patel also clarified that though he had left BJP following his father’s exit, he had never joined any other party in the meantime. He said he has been associated with RSS and BJP for a long time. He said he has been vice president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in Gujarat in the past.

When asked whether Keshubhai Patel also is intending to join BJP, Bharat Patels aid that question should be asked to Keshubhai. When asked about differences of his father with Narendrabhai, Bharat Patel replied that two persons can have difference of opinion.

On possibility of Keshubhai returning to BJP, party president RC Faldu said, ” I have said it in past also, if Keshubhai returns to BJP it’s well and good. He is an honorable leader and has spent life for the development of party. None in party can have negative opinion about him. Keshubhai’s son Bharatbhai was in our contact for long time. He can’t set anywhere, but only in BJP. The only issue was that he decided to follow his father. Now when his father has permitted him to take independent decision, he is back. Any patriotic person can join the party.”

When asked about his political future in BJP, Bharat Patel replied that BJP will take decision on his role in the party. Patel however added that he was interested in serving poor and middle class. He also added that he has extensively explored over 100 villages of Jungadh district where Keshubhai’s constituency Visavadar is located.

Bharat Patel didn’t say it clearly, but hinted that he has his target set at Visavdar.

Visavdar is presently represented by Keshubhai Patel in assembly. After formation of Gujarat Parivartan Party led by him Keshubhai was elected from Visavadar seat last year. However on the assembly floor, neither he, nor other single MLA of his party has opposed the government so far. It is believed that Keshubhai may resign from Visavdar and ask son Bharat to contest by-poll there on BJP ticket. At least Bharat Patel wishes so. Alternatively Bharat could be fielded in Lok Sabha, if party presses for that.