Summary:
They have a strong base in Dehradun and his presence will be a major boost for us,” said Rawat. DEHRADUN: In a setback for the Congress ahead of civic polls, Prithviraj Singh Chauhan , former city chief of the party joined the BJP in presence of chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and state chief Ajay Bhatt on Friday.Apart from Chauhan, another Congress leader Pankaj Mason as well as 70 other persons who were earlier in the Congress also joined the saffron party.Chauhan was believed to be upset after his name had cropped up for the mayoral post but the Congress preferred to field former minister Dinesh Agarwal instead.Addressing mediapersons at the BJP office, Chauhan said, “I am not here to criticise any party or individual. I have joined the BJP because of the progressive thinking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.”He added that since assuming charge, Rawat had “done enough to weed out corruption in Uttarakhand .” “For a long time, my entire team was working in this direction and I am happy to work under the leadership of a person who is determined to wipe out corruption from the system.”On being asked whether he would be offered any party position or ticket to fight elections in future, Chauhan said, “I have joined the BJP unconditionally, and will work as a dedicated party worker.”CM Rawat said Chauhan’s experience and his presence in the party will not only boost the chances of BJP candidate Sunil Uniyal Gama in mayoral elections, but will also brighten the prospects of all 100 ward candidates.“I know Chauhan and his family well..