Casino organizer Chikoti Praveen joined the BJP in the presence of party national vice-president DK Aruna this morning. Former MLC Ramchander Rao and Goutam Rao welcomed Praveen by offering the party scarf to him.

Speaking to the media after joining the BJP, Chikoti said that he felt like a small kid who reached his mother’s lap after going missing in a village festival. He said he would put in efforts to strengthen the party.

Recently, there was buzz that he would join the BJP in the presence of Union Tourism minister G. Kishan Reddy but it did not happen.

Speaking about it, Praveen said that there had been some miscommunication which led to the delay in joining the party. Meanwhile, there is information that Chikoti had some differences with Kishan Reddy, following which the tourism minister did not give time to Chikoti.

However, Praveen said that he was happy to have joined the BJP, which, he added, is very disciplined.