New Delhi: Former Indian Air Force Chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria joined the BJP on Sunday, March 24, ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls. 

Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) RKS Bhadauria joined the BJP in the presence of party General Secretary Vinod Tawde and Union Minister Anurag Thakur. Along with him, former YSRCP leader Varaprasad Rao Velagapalli also joined the saffron party in the national capital. 

BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde lauded Bhadauria's long service in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and expressed confidence that he will now contribute actively in the political field after playing an active role in the defence forces. The BJP leader said Bhadauria spent nearly 40 years in the IAF and contributed to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Bhadauria Likely To be Fielded From Uttar Pradesh 

Bhadauria hails from Uttar Pradesh. Bhadauria said his new innings gives him a chance to contribute to nation-building.

The BJP is yet to name its candidates from several seats in the state for the Lok Sabha elections and Bhadauria is likely to be fielded from Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

Bhadauria Heaps Praises on PM Modi 

Having retired in 2021, he termed the last eight to 10 years of his service as a "golden period", praising the steps taken by the Modi government to boost self-reliance and modernise the armed forces. He noted that it was this government that fulfilled the demand for 'One Rank, One Pension' of armed forces veterans, scrapped Article 370 and boosted the country's internal security.

He also praised its measures for national security and lauded Modi's foresight, saying the steps taken across various departments will help the country emerge stronger. “The tough steps taken by this government to empower and modernise our armed forces and make them self-reliant have not only given rise to a new capability in the forces but also given them a new confidence. The results of the self-reliant move by the government can be seen on the ground,” said Bhadauria after joining BJP. 

Rao, a former IAS officer, said Modi is the most dynamic politician he has seen and lauded his government's development initiatives.