Former Savarkundla MLA Kalu Virani and two other leaders from Amreli got a gift on Chief Minister Narendra Modis birthday they were taken back in the BJP fold. At a ceremony organised at the district office of BJP in Amreli,Virani,a three-time MLA,was welcomed back by former agriculture minister Dilip Sanghani and Amreli district BJP president Mansukh Sukhadia. Along with Virani,former Amreli district BJP president Pragji Hirapara and Mahesh Sudani,who had defected to the Gujarat Parivartan Party,returned to the saffron fold. Virani was suspended by the party for six years after he contested the December 2012 Assembly elections as an Independent from Savarkundala. He lost to BJPs Vallabh Vaghasiya. Virani fell out of favour with party leaders after his daughter Ritu levelled allegations of corruption against him in October 2012 in the run up to the Assembly polls. He was denied a ticket to contest the polls. As a mark of sadabhavana on the CMs birthday,those who had deserted the (BJP) family have been welcomed back, Sukhadia said. I had contested elections against the partys wish. Now the party has invited me back. Around four months ago,the CM called me and asked me to rejoin the BJP. Having dedicated my life to public service,I thought that I would be able to serve people better if I am with the government. This is the reason I have rejoined the BJP, Virani said.
