GPP not merged with BJP, claims Suresh Mehta

Terming reports of Gujarat Parivartan Party's merger with BJP as "misleading", its founder member Suresh Mehta today claimed GPP still exists as a separate outfit.

In a press release issued today, Mehta alleged former GPP president Gordhan Zadafia did not take him into confidence and announced the merger with BJP.

"Zadafia and A few others joined BJP on 25th February and declared that GPP has been merged with BJP. But I had already warned him on 20th February and made it clear that GPP cannot be merged in such a manner," said Mehta.

To prove his point, the former Gujarat Chief Minister is claiming that Zadafia and others joined BJP in their personal capacity.

Sighting a notification issued by Election Commission of India, Mehta claimed GPP still exists as a party.

"On 10th March, Election Commission issued a notification having a list of all the active political parties in the country. GPP, having registration number 551/2012, is still in that list, which proves that Zadafia misguided people about the merger with BJP," he said.

He also claimed Zadafia did not have the authority to merge or dissolve the party.

"As per the party constitution signed by founder president Keshubhai Patel, the party can be merged only after getting consensus from 3/4th of total members. Thus, Zadafia's declaration about merger stands illegal," Mehta claimed.