Leaders of other parties want to join BJP: Union Minister

Ahead of the BJP National Executive meeting to be held here in Odisha, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Tuesday said some leaders, including members of Parliament and assemblies of other parties, are willing to join the saffron party.

The two-day meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party National Executive, a decision-making forum of the party, would be held in Bhubaneswar from April 15.

"The BJD is going through a serious internal conflict. We are not interested in breaking and destabilise other political parties. After our victory in four states in the recently concluded assembly elections and stupendous performance in Zila Parishad polls, leaders from other parties want to join the BJP," Oram told media persons here.

He said leaders from other parties, including members of Parliament and assemblies, and former members of Parliament, are in touch with the BJP.

However, the senior BJP leader's statement was pooh-poohed by the Congress and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). They said none from their parties would join the BJP.

"The statement of the Union Minister is a mere media fiction, which has no basis. He is trying to appeal, through media, to the leaders of other parties to join the BJP. But, no one from our party is joining the BJP," said BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb.

Senior Congress leader Sarat Rout said even though the Congress has internal strife, no leader from it would join the saffron party.

--IANS

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