Former Congress MLA Chirag Patel joins BJP in Gujarat 

Chirag Patel, in his address, said he had entered the BJP to participate in the task launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and state BJP head Paatil to make the nation and the state successful and united.

Introduction:

In a significant political development, former Congress MLA Chirag Patel has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat. 

The move, announced on Sunday, took place in the presence of Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil, marking a shift in political affiliations for Patel.

Resignation and Reasons:

Chirag Patel, who served as a first-time MLA from Khambat seat in Anand district, resigned from the state assembly on December 14, 2023. 

His decision was attributed to dissatisfaction with the working style of the Congress leadership and allegations of groupism within the party’s state unit.

Patel’s resignation came after the December 2022 state assembly polls, where he narrowly defeated BJP’s Mayur Raval by less than 4,000 votes.

Joining BJP and Induction Ceremony:

At an event held in Khambhat, Chirag Patel formally joined the BJP alongside a considerable number of his supporters. Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil, who is also a Member of Parliament, personally inducted Patel into the BJP fold during the ceremony.

Potential Candidacy and Political Speculation:

During his speech, CR Paatil hinted that Chirag Patel might be the BJP’s candidate for the Khambhat seat in the upcoming by-election, which became necessary after Patel’s resignation. This adds a layer of intrigue to the unfolding political scenario in the region.

Mass Joining of Congress Workers:

On the same day, around 2,500 Congress workers, including sarpanchs and booth level workers from Borsad assembly constituency, also joined the BJP in the presence of CR Paatil in Borsad Anand district. This mass shift signifies broader political realignments in the state.

Patel’s Vision and Acknowledgments:

In his address, Chirag Patel expressed his decision to join the BJP as a commitment to contribute to the nation-building efforts led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and state BJP head CR Paatil. 

Patel specifically urged Paatil to focus on the development of Khambhat and expressed gratitude for the BJP’s attention to issues such as water supply, with the sanctioning of a ₹160-crore project for 56 villages in the assembly seat.