Date:09/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/09/stories/2007060918771600.htm

National

T.P.S. Rawat joins BJP

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Lt. General (retired) T.P.S. Rawat, who resigned as Congress MLA in Uttarakhand on Thursday, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday.

Party president Rajnath Singh, Uttarakhand Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri and some State BJP leaders were present at the party headquarters here.

Mr. Khanduri is likely to contest the Dhumakot Assembly seat vacated by Lt. Gen. Rawat. The latter could be the party candidate for the Pauri Parliamentary seat after the former quits the Lok Sabha.

The party sees this manoeuvre a big victory for it in the hill State.