Veteran Cong man’s son joins BJP,meet ends

Mehul Zaveri,the media coordinator of the BJP in Vadodara,told The Indian Express that Vishnu Prajapati had called on city BJP leaders and wanted to meet the chief minister on Sunday. “About 200 of his supporters mostly from the Congress party,who were against us during the municipal elections last year came to meet CM Modi. Vishnu and five others went up to the meeting venue in Satyam Shivam Sundaram Party Hall and met all the senior leaders,and expressed their willingness to join the party and work towards the development of the state. We consider this to be big blow for the Congress party,as a part of Dalsukh Prajapati’s family is now with us,” said Zaveri.

Vishnu Prajapati told The Indian Express that his father was aware of his decision and respects it. “For the last 15 years or so,I saw how the BJP government had carried the development work in the state. This was an inspiration for me to join the party,” said Vishnu.

A press release from the BJP released on Sunday evening lampooned the selection of Congress leader Narendra Ravat as the newly elected Vadodara city president stating that on his first day,the Congress saw an exodus of party workers,including the son of a prominent Congress leader.

Ravat,a student leader,and now an M S University Senate member told The Indian Express that everyone has right to an opinion.

“The Congress is an old party and has seen many people come and go. Everyone has a right to opinion. Such decisions will not affect the strength of our party in the city,” said Ravat.

In an unrelated development,ACP (in charge),M S Patel detained former minister Nalin Bhatt at 8.30 am prior to his rally to protest against the decision of Vadodara police allegedly not allowing him to meet the CM. “I wanted to apprise the CM of the condition of the city made by the ruling party. But the police denied permission,” added Bhatt.

Cops on duty faint

Two police officers on guard duty for the CM’s visit,fainted. Assistant Sub-Inspector S Dhamre fainted near Bird Circle after complaining of chest pain,while Sub-Inspector P M Shinde was rushed to a hospital following a heart attack.