Bhiloda (Aravalli), May 24 (IANS): Keval Joshiyara, son of late Congress MLA Anil Joshiyara, on Tuesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bhiloda town of Gujarat's Aravalli district.

Dr. Joshiyara had represented Bhiloda constituency for four terms since 2002 elections. The Bhiloda seat fell vacant after Dr. Joshiyara's death in March, 2022 due to coronavirus.

While joining the BJP, Keval told media persons: "I have joined BJP as a worker, without any expectation, I am not even sure whether the party will field me from the Bhiloda seat or not, but I will work for the party with commitment and determination."

Keval said that he has joined the party because he is influenced with the development work carried out by the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Keval said that he has witnessed development in the Bhiloda constituency, state and in the nation, so he decided to join the party and be part of the development.

He said Gujarat Congress president Jagdish Thakor had called him on Monday night and tried to convince him to be with Congress party and not leave.

"Thakor had assured me respect and the same importance that my father enjoyed in the party, but I turned down the request," Keval claimed.

Since 1962, 13 elections were held for the Bhiloda constituency, of which, nine times Congress candidates won, whereas BJP and Independent candidate once each.

In 1995, Anil Joshiyara had contested elections on BJP symbol and won the elections.

Dr Joshiyara joined BJP rebellion Shankersinh Vaghela group in 1996. In 1998, he contested on Shankersinh Vaghela's All India Rashtriya Janata Party symbol and lost, after which he joined Congress.

Congress is confident to retain the seat even after Keval joined the BJP, Congress leader Sukhram Rathva said.

Rathva said the party has many young faces, one of them can be fielded as party candidate on the seat.