NEW DELHI: Expelled former BSP MP Dara Singh Chauhan today joined BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah.
Chauhan, who was leader of Bahujan Samaj Party in the last Lok Sabha, was welcomed into the party fold by Shah.
Party's general secretary (Organisation) Ram Lal and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, besides Uttar Pradesh unit president of the party Lakshmikant Bajpai, were also present.
Chauhan, who lost his Ghosi seat in Azamgarh to BJP's Hari Narayan Rajbhar in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, is set to be the party's OBC face in the state where BJP is yearning to be in power after a long gap.
After his joining he said he would work towards making the party strong in the state and ensure the victory of BJP in the next assembly elections due in 2017.
He was expelled from the BSP in December last for anti-party activities. Chauhan has been a two-time Rajya Sabha member and a one-time Lok Sabha member.