Gujarat elections: Former PAAS leader Chirag Patel joins BJP

Former Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Chirag Patel joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday.

The former leader of the Hardik Patel-led PAAS joined the BJP in the presence of Gujarat Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, ANI reported.

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The development is likely to come as a setback to the Congress which has been trying to win over the Patidar community ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

Last month, two of Hardik Patel's close aides from the Patidar community, Reshma Patel and Varun Patel, joined the BJP.

Hardik Patel poses a challenge to the ruling BJP as he holds a sway over a chunk of Patidars, considered as loyal voters of the party.