Surya Singh Besra (centre) at the Circuit House on Thursday. (Bhola Prasad)

Jamshedpur, Oct. 22: Surya Singh Besra, one of the main proponents of the Jharkhand movement, today joined the BJP.

The former Jharkhand People’s Party (JPP) president was formally inducted into the BJP by state party president Raghubar Das in the presence of several leaders and supporters at a function at Circuit House this afternoon. Besra vowed to continue his fight against political parties that are exploiting the tribals.

He, however, clarified that the JPP had not joined hands with the BJP. “The JPP’s merger with the BJP will materialise only after I speak to senior leaders of the former party,” he added.

A strong critic of the BJP, Besra’s sudden change of heart has triggered speculations in political circles.

Sources said that the 53-year-old leader had been promised a ticket from either Potka or Ghatshila Assembly segment in East Singhbhum by the BJP. No wonder that he sung paeans in support of the BJP today, claiming it was the only party that could address the needs of the people. “It was the BJP that delivered on its promise of making Jharkhand a separate state,” the founder of Ajsu said.

He criticised the JMM and the Congress for playing with the sentiments of the tribals and advocated the need for a stable government in the state. He also urged Das to provide identity cards and pension to Jharkhand movement activists if the BJP came to power.

In his address, Das said they were impressed with Besra’s clean image and the decision to bring him on board was unanimous. “The BJP would like to utilise his experience to strengthen its base in the rural hinterland of Kolhan,” Das said.