Kirodi Lal Meena makes a comeback to BJP

In a major development ahead of the Assembly elections in Rajasthan slated later his year, National People's Party (NPP) and Lalsot MLA Kirodi Lal Meena along with two MLAs rejoined the saffron party on Sunday.

Meena, a five-time legislator, along with two other NPP MLAs, Golma Devi and Geeta Verma, joined the ruling party at a ceremony in BJP headquarters here in presence of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and other leaders.

Owing to Raje's favour to Gujjars and four other communities in ST or OBC quota category, and over the distribution of tickets for 2008  Assembly polls Meena quit BJP in 2008 and formed his own party National People's Party on the eve of the 2008 Assembly elections.  

Kirodi's wife Golma Devi, who is MLA from Rajgarh-Laxmangarh (Alwar) and former MoS in Gehlot government, and Geeta Verma, MLA from Sikrai, also joined the party. Hundreds of Meena's supporters also took the primary membership of the party along with their leader.  

As per party insiders, Meena's comeback was much expected after Raje assured him of nomination to Rajya Sabha whose biennial polls are slated on March 23, and the last date of filing of nomination paper is Monday.  

However, Meena told the media that joining BJP is like "Ghar Vapsi" for him and his party and will work for the BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls in December 2018.

The 66-year-old leader said that he committed mistakes and got separated from the BJP 10 years back but he never left the party ideology.

Welcoming Meena into the party's fold, Raje said her "strong brother has returned home".

Meena's entry in BJP holds significance after the party faced a recent debacle in two Lok Sabha and one Assembly bypolls of Ajmer and Alwar in February, and the recent loss of seats in civic bodies and Panchayati Raj institutes' bypoll earlier this month.  

In 2013, Kirodi had highest vote percentage in last assembly polls in 2013. As per sources, BJP is anticipating the votes of Meena and Dalit communities in 11 districts covering 45 seats.

The 66-year-old, Kirodi, is a five-time MLA   (as independent in 2008, NPP candidate in 2013 ) and a two time MP representing Sawai Madhopur (1989-91) and Dausa (2009) LS seats.