Mahajan's daughter joins BJP

The BJP today made clear its choice for carrying forward the legacy of late Pramod Mahajan by inducting his daughter Poonam Rao into the party.

Chances of late BJP leader's son Rahul were dashed after his involvement in a drug scandal recently.

Poonam joined the party in the presence of her uncle and senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde and state unit president Nitin Gadkari at the party's Mumbai unit office in Dadar area.

Replying to questions, Poonam said her entry into politics was not accidental. "It was a conscious decision taken by the family," she added.

She said she had been looking after the educational institutions started by her father and was actively working in the social sector. "I see politics as an extension of my social service activities," Rao added.

On her plans to contest elections, she said, "First I would like to prove that I am capable of carrying forward my father's legacy. Posts in the party and legislature will automatically follow "

"I am an ordinary member of the party and ready for any assignment given to me," she said.

Rahul expressed happiness over his sister's entry in the party, saying, "I wish her all the best. We are one, it does not make a difference who joins the party, she or me."

"The BJP is in our blood and I would continue to work for it," he said.