Former MP Brijesh Pathak joins BJP after BSP expels him

NEW DELHI LUCKNOW: Former Rajya Sabha Parliamentarian from Uttar Pradesh Brajesh Pathak announced he was joining the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday hours after he was expelled from the Bahujan Samaj Party for antiparty activities

Updated At : 10:38 PM Aug 22, 2016 IST

BJP president Amit Shah greeting former MP Brijesh Pathak at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Monday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

Tribune News Service

New Delhi/ Lucknow, August 22

Former Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh Brajesh Pathak announced he was joining the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday, hours after he was expelled from the Bahujan Samaj Party for “anti-party activities”.

Pathak cited “corruption and anarchy” in BSP as reasons for his decision.

Pathak became the second high-profile leader after Swami Prasad Maurya to join the right-wing BJP.

"There is rampant anarchy and law and order problem in Uttar Pradesh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi development model can only save the State, " Pathak said in response to a question regarding his decision, although he refused to comment on whether he would fight upcoming assembly elections in the state.

The development comes only a day after Pathak was seen sharing a stage with BSP national president Mayawati at an event in Agra.

Due to be held next year, the Assembly elections is likely to be one of the most bitterly contested fights, pitting the BJP — which had done exceedingly well in the General Elections of 2014 — against established parties in the state such as the BSP and its rival, the ruling Samajwadi Party.