Independent MLA from Shimla's Chopal assembly seat Balbir Singh Verma, who has been associated with the Congress for more than four years, is all set to join the BJP ahead of the assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh later this year.
Verma is likely to formally announce his decision to join the BJP on March 26, sources in the BJP said.
When contacted, Verma said, "Wait for March 26."
He said that he was opposed to the decision of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to declare Dharamsala as the second capital of the state which, he claimed, would undermine the importance of Shimla.
The Congress accused Verma of betraying the people of Chopal and said that the people would never forgive him.
In a joint statement, Chairman of the State Agriculture Marketing Board Subhash Manglet and former Congress MLA from Chopal seat Rajneesh Kimta said, "It seems that Verma had extended support to the Congress as an associate member just to achieve his selfish motive and his deeds and intentions reveal that he always had a soft corner for the BJP."
It appears that he was looking for an excuse to join hands with the BJP.
His plea that he did not support the decision of the government to declare Dharamsala as second capital was a "lame excuse and not tenable", they said.
The Chopal assembly constituency in Shimla district was never ignored by the chief minister.
Verma has betrayed the trust of the chief minister and the people of Chopal, they alleged.
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