Raipur: Former BJP MP PR Khute on Thursday merged his Chhattisgarh Vikas Party (CVP) with opposition Congress, a senior party leader said.
"The CVP was merged with Congress today after the party high-command gave a green signal to the move, following which Khute, along with members of his outfit, joined Congress," state unit party president Nand Kumar Patel announced in a press conference here.
The former MP claimed that he shot down BJP's overtures to invite him to the party fold.
"I was recently invited for dinner by Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh but refused to accept the offer. I could have never thought of joining the party which is neck deep in corruption," Khute alleged.
Meanwhile, former Congress MLA Manoj Mandavi, who had quit the party in 2008, today rejoined the party.
Welcoming Mandavi's coming back and CVP merger, Patel said, "the induction of both the leaders will strengthen the party ahead of 2012 Assembly elections in the state".
Replying to a query on factionalism in Congress, Patel said "these issues will be sorted out soon".
PTI
First Published: Thursday, December 06, 2012, 22:06