AAP splits in Surat, six municipal councillors join BJP

Earlier, four municipal councillors of the AAP had already joined the BJP, taking the number to 10 so far

File image used for representational purpose only. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

In a major split of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Surat, six municipal councillors resigned from the party and joined the BJP on Friday midnight.

The councillors were inducted into the saffron party in the presence of Gujarat BJP chief C.R. Paatil, who is also Navsari Lok Sabha member in South Gujarat.

Four municipal councillors of the AAP had already joined the BJP, taking the number of those who jumped ship to 10 so far.

In a spectacular entry by AAP in the Surat civic body polls in 2021, as many as 27 party candidates won as municipal councillors in the Diamond City.

Those who joined on Friday midnight are Swati Kyada, Nirali Patel, Ashok Dhami, Dharmendra Vavaliya, Kiran Khokhani and Ghanshyam Makwana.

The four councillors who had earlier joined the BJP are Bhavnaben Solanki, Rutaben Kheni, Jyotikaben Lathiya and Vipulbhai Movaliya.