Nagpur: Former MLA from Daryapur constituency in Amaravati district, Prakash Bharsakle, who had represented Shiv Sena thrice, on Sunday joined the BJP.
BJP national president Nitin Gadkari and state unit president Sudhir Mungantiwar welcomed Bharsakle and his supporters at a function held at Gadkari`s residence here today. BJP MLAs Davendra Phadanvis, Sudhakar Deshmukh, Krishna Khopde, Vikas Kumbhare and city Mayor Archana Dehankar along with city unit office-bearers were also present on the occasion.
Bharsakle was elected as MLA from Daryapur in 1990, 1995 and 1999 on the Shiv Sena ticket and subsequently parted ways with the saffron party due to differences with the party leadership. Known as a trusted aide of former Chief Minister Narayan Rane, Bharsakle left Shiv Sena and joined Congress and contested the bye-election successfully in 2007.
Daryapur Assembly constituency was reserved in 2009 and Bharsakle shifted to neighbouring Akot constituency, but lost the Assembly polls.
PTI