Hazaribagh, Dec. 5: Two veteran leaders, who enjoy considerable support in the Kushwaha community that comprises a major vote chunk in Hazaribagh Parliamentary constituency, returned to the BJP fold today, boosting the party's morale in a district where recent land issues and alleged police highhandedness seem to have alienated some section of people.

Former minister and Hazaribagh Sadar MLA Deo Dayal Kushwaha, and former Barkagaon MLA Loknath Mahto apologised for leaving the party back in 2013 (and joining AJSU) and promised to guide youths to strengthen the party organisation.

Apart from the veteran duo, Umesh Dangi, ascribe, took a plunge in active politics and joined the ruling party in the presence of former external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha at the latter's residence in Demotand on the outskirts of the town.

Sinha termed the reunion as " ghar wapsi", which underlined the "growing popularity" of the BJP.

"There were some differences, which had forced them to leave. But they (differences) had never gone to personal level, and thus we have again come together. Indono ke jane se mein adhura ho gaya tha. Par aaj is ghar wapasi se phirse pura ho gaya hun (They had left me incomplete. But with this reunion, I have become complete again)," said Sinha amid clapping by over 300 workers from Hazaribagh and Ramgarh districts.

Sinha further said: "I apologise if my behaviour had ever hurt them. I promise to take care of the feelings of all."

The former Union minister and father of Union minister of state Jayant Sinha assured Mahto of taking up issues concerning Barkagaon people, who have been on the protest path against the NTPC coal projects. "I don't know anything about the companies working there. But if any injustice is meted out to Barkagaon rayats, I will not hesitate to launch a bigger protest under the leadership of Mahto," Sinha said, using the occasion to soothe some frayed nerves.

Mahto said there were some issues in Barkagaon and he knew that only Sinha could solve them. "I request him to look into the issues. Rayats are facing problems... people were killed in police firing on October 1," he added.

Kushwaha, on the other hand, said he was in pain after leaving the party. "I had gone into exile. I don't know if it was my ill fate or bad time. I realised my mistake after getting separated from you (read Sinha) and asked you for forgiveness," he added.