No question of joining Congress, won't quit BJP, says Harin Pathak

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Harin Pathak, who was denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Ahmedabad East constituency, on Sunday, ruled out that he will be leaving the party.

"There is no question of joining the Congress or any other party. I have been loyal party worker for the past so many years. I will not quit the BJP," Pathak told media here.

He said that it is beyond his thinking that the people, who were earlier in the Congress and had cursed the BJP's character, are inducted in the party.

"They have been given grand welcome and are given respect in the party. I am upset because of this development," he said.

"I am anguish because I want to know that by bringing such elements in the party what the message we are sending to the people. This has affected the moral of the party workers. I have never worked for any post nor will ever work. It was not the basis of me asking for a ticket," he added.

"If there is a distinguished personality, then I welcome him but it is hurtful to see the party giving entry to those who was considered a middling worker in the Congress. Even the party workers are anguished over this decision," he said.

As far as he is concerned, Pathak said that his supporters are upset, and added he had devoted his entire life to this city and the people are the witness of this.

"People want someone who had been staying with them to represent them in the parliament," he added.

He also said that he will be meeting his supporters and afterwards will tell what his course of action would be.

On Saturday, the BJP had replaced L.K. Advani's loyalist Pathak with Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal from Ahmedabad East Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat.