Ahead of polls, ex-U'khand Congress chief joins BJP

Ahead of the Uttarakhand assembly polls, expelled Congress leader Kishore Upadhyay on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Addressing the media persons after joining BJP, Upadhyay said, "I think Uttarakhand's development is only possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I want to work towards making Uttarakhand a better state."

"I am impressed with the work the RSS and the BJP have done in Tehri and Uttarkashi. I am grateful to Prahlad Joshi for giving me this opportunity to be a part of the BJP," he added.

Speaking on the reason behind his expulsion from Congress, the newly inducted BJP leader said, "A picture of myself with the BJP went viral which was represented in a different light."

Earlier on Wednesday, Congress expelled former party chief in Uttarakhand Upadhyay for "anti-party activities".

Upadhyay was earlier removed from all party positions as a disciplinary action after he met BJP leaders here, including the party's election in-charge for Uttarakhand Pralhad Joshi.

Assembly polls in Uttarakhand will be held on February 14.