India, April 21 -- Sangram Thopte, Congress leader and former MLA from Bhor constituency in Pune district, said on Sunday that he would join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to ensure development in his area.

Addressing a rally in Bhor, he said it was the wish of his supporters, who feel that aligning with the ruling party is the only option to usher in growth in the constituency. He tendered his resignation to the state Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal on Saturday.

Thopte said that he will join the BJP in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on April 22.

"People in Bhor support my decision. Everyone is asking me to join the BJP to ensure development," said the three-term MLA who lost the 2024 assembly polls.

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