His attempt to join the saffron party in September went in vain after BJP workers opposed him, reportedly over his criminal antecedents.
Published Oct 07, 2023 | 7:16 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 07, 2023 | 7:18 PM
Casino organiser Chikoti Praveen joiined the BJP in Hyderabad on Saturday, 7 October. (Supplied)
Casino organiser Chikoti Praveen joined the BJP in Hyderabad on Saturday, 7 October, after a failed attempt to bond with the saffron party about a month ago.
He joined the party in the presence of its national vice-president DK Aruna and other senior politicians ahead of the Assembly polls in Telangana.
“Taking inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders, I have joined the BJP. Happiness is like a child who gets lost in a crowd when the family travels to temples and meets with the family after years,” he said.
“I will make efforts to get the BJP more presence in Telangana. As a bhakt of Hinduism I will stay with the party till my last breath,” he said.
Chikoti Praveen. (Supplied)
Praveen was expected to join the BJP on 12 September, and he had put up posters in the city announcing his move.
He even went to the BJP office accompanied by his followers, but to his embarrassment, no senior leaders were present in the office.
The BJP’s women leaders also denied him entry to the office, reportedly citing his criminal antecedents.
“There was a miscommunication three weeks ago but I had always wished to join the BJP and I did it today. The party consists of most senior leaders and it is a disciplined organisation. I will work according to the senior leaders’ orders. The people should give the BJP an opportunity in Telangana,” he said after joining the party.
Delighted to join Smt. @aruna_dk Ji, National Vice-president, extends a warm welcome to Chikoti Praveen garu as he joins the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at BJP city Office, Barkatpura, kachiguda. pic.twitter.com/gOb7GXC3nh
— Dr N Goutham Rao ( Modi Ka Parivar ) (@DrNGouthamRao) October 7, 2023
Praveen was among 93 alleged gamblers — of whom 80 were Indian nationals — arrested from a luxury hotel in Thailand’s Pattaya on 1 May this year.
It was alleged that he had set up a gambling den with about 14 women at Asia Pattaya Hotel in Chon Buri. However, he claimed that he was unwittingly staying in the hotel when Thai detectives raided the property.
On his return to India after getting bail in the case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned him in a Foreign Exchange Management Act, (FEMA) violation case. The ED also searched his house at IS Sadan in Hyderabad and his farmhouse at Kadthal on the city outskirts.
The Hyderabad police had arrested him on charges of gambling in 2007. The Gajwel police booked him in July this year for taking out a rally in violation of prohibitory orders.
Praveen has a collection of exotic animals and birds at his 20-acre farmhouse. They include exotic dogs, macaws, tarantulas, tegus, snakes, ostrich, black swans, and iguanas.
Though the forest department had searched his farmhouse, no violation of the wildlife laws was found.
He is also known for organising an animal show every year.
