New Delhi:
Subramanian Swamy's Janata Party has merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2014 general elections.
The announcement was made by Mr Swamy and BJP president Rajnath Singh after they met at the latter's residence in Delhi today. Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari and senior party leader Arun Jaitley were also present at the meet.
"Dr Subramanian Swamy is national president of Janata Party and he has decided that the Janata Party and BJP should merge. Today, I accept the merger of Janata Party with BJP. I am confident that with Swamy's joining the BJP and the merger of his party will benefit the BJP...I welcome Dr Swamy in BJP," said Mr Singh.
As Rajnathji correctly said, the country is passing through a difficult time... for unity, for nationalistic purpose, the party is needed by the country today because of all the problems that we are having," said Mr Swamy.
Mr Swamy has served as member of the Planning Commission and a former Cabinet Minister at the Centre and has been a five-time MP.
He is an ardent proponent of Hindutva philosophy outside the Sangh Parivar and has been active in exposing the 2G Spectrum scam. He recently also questioned the Rs 2,000 crore Jet-Etihad deal.