Rebel BJP MP joins Congress
By IANSThursday, February 5, 2009
NEW DELHI - A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Maharashtra, Hari Singh Rathore, Friday formally joined the Congress party.
Rathore, who represents Yavatmal constituency in Maharashtra, had supported the Congress in July 22 trust vote on the India-US civil nuclear deal.
‘We are happy to announce the decision of BJP MP Hari Singh Rathore to join the Congress,’ Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters. Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernanades was also present on the occasion.
Rathore, a leader of Banjara community, said: ‘I had been in BJP for 10 years. I always felt that BJP has neglected the cause of tribal and nomadic communities. However, the Congress has shown its commitment for social justice and this has pulled me towards to the party.’
