Former NCP minister Vijaykumar Gavit joins BJP

Former Maharashtra medical education minister Vijaykumar Gavit, who faces charges of wealth accumulationby him and his family members in a disproportionate assets case, joined the the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbai on Saturday.

Gavit was welcomed to the party fold by leader of opposition in the Maharashtra legislative Assembly, Eknath Khadse.

Responding to a query on corruption allegations against Gavit, Khadse said, "So far, these are only allegations. We will expel him within a minute the charges are proved in a court or by an special investigation team."

Gavit said, "I will quit not only politics, but also social life if the charges are proven."

Responding to a question if the BJP would field Gavit and Pachpute for the ensuing assembly polls, Khadse said, "Any decision regarding candidature is taken by the BJP parliamentary board."

Gavit was sacked from the Maharashtra cabinet earlier this year after his daughter Heena Gavit accepted a BJP Lok Sabha ticket to contest from Nandurbar and went on to win the election. Heena accompanied her father at the function.