BJP should take back Joshi, says Togadia

Kolkata, June 9 (IANS) Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia Saturday said the BJP should try to get back Sanjay Joshi, who quit due to differences with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Terming Friday's exit of the Bharatiya Janata Party leader as unfortunate, Togadia said the BJP had lost a dedicated leader and that the party should try to win him back.

"It is rather unfortunate that a dedicated leader like him had to quit. It is a big loss for the BJP," Togadia told reporters here.

"It is hard to find a determined and dedicated leader like him. I think the party should try to win him back. I feel they should welcome him back," he added.

Joshi is known as a bitter foe of Modi, whose relations with Togadia are also known to be strained.

Togadia also criticised the central government's move asking the states to appoint at least one Muslim officer in police stations in areas having high concentration of Muslim population.

"The central government is spreading communal disharmony. Their attempt to communalise the police force which has no religion will surely backfire," he said.