Controversial chief of the right wing outfit, Pramod Muthalik on Sunday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here amidst the presence of state BJP leaders.
"I have taken this decision to join BJP keeping the nation and its security in mind, and to support BJP's prime ministerial candidate. The workers of Sri Ram Sene are free to work selflessly for the nation whether it is for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Bajrang Dal or with the BJP. It is because of the blessings of my party workers, that I have entered BJP as there is a feeling that voices of the Hindus must be heard," Muthalik said.
Muthalik had courted a huge controversy in 2009 after members of his Sri Ram Sene carried out an attack on a pub in Mangalore during which young women were dragged out. He had also carried out a campaign against the celebration of Valentine's Day.