Ex-MLA Lalji Mer joins Gujarat Congress

A day after former minister Sundersinh Chauhan resigned from BJP and joined Congress, one more influential former BJP leader joined the opposition party on Wednesday.

Lalji Mer, 63, joined Congress at the party headquarters in presence of the party's Gujarat in-charge Rajiv Satav and other leaders. A number of supporters of the Koli strongman also switched sides along with him.

Mer was elected to the legislative assembly from Dhandhuka seat in Ahmedabad district in 2012 elections. However, he was not given a ticket in the 2017 elections. He had resigned from the primary membership of the BJP last week.

Speaking with reporters after joining Congress, Mer said that he had quit BJP as farmers' demands were not being fulfilled.

"I had made several representations to Anandiben Patel, Vijay Rupani, and Bhupendrasinh Chudasama to return surplus land acquired from farmers, but nothing was done. This government is pushing farmers towards suicide," he said.

Mer also said that he had not joined the party for a ticket.

In his address, Satav said that the manner in which leaders are joining Congress suggests that the party is becoming stronger.

"Many leaders from BJP and other parties are joining Congress in Gujarat and other states. This makes the emerging picture very clear," he said.

On Tuesday, four-term former MLA and ex-minister Sundersinh Chauhan had also bid adieu to BJP and joined Congress.