AHMEDABAD: AAP leader Kanu Kalsariya, who was a former Gujarat BJP MLA had led an agitation against Nirma cement factory when Narendra Modi was chief minister, today announced his decision to join the Congress.
Kalsariya said he called on Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi today and discussed the current situation in Gujarat.
"I met Rahul Gandhi today.We had a long discussion, which lasted for an hour, about the situation in Gujarat. After meeting Rahul, I have agreed to join the Congress in principle," Kalsariya told PTI over phone.
Kalsariya said he would be officially inducted into the Congress during Gandhi's two-day visit to Talaja in Bhavnagar district beginning July 16.
He had served as a BJP MLA on three occasions in the past.
When he was in the BJP, Kalsariya had opposed setting up of Nirma cement factory in Mahuva constituency in Bhavnagar district over environmental issues.
He had also led a agitation against the then BJP government headed by Narendra Modi over the factory issue.
The environment clearance given to the company was later withdrawn as the then Congress government at the Centre backed Kalsariya.
After leaving the BJP, Kalsariya formed Sadbhavna Manch and contested the 2012 Assembly polls unsuccessfully.
He joined Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in 2014, but was apparently sidelined.