Retired Navy officer Madan Sharma, who was allegedly attacked by Shiv Sena workers, said that he has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and RSS after meeting Governor BS Koshyari on Tuesday, reported ANI.

He told ANI, “From now on, I am with BJP-RSS. When I was beaten up, they alleged me to be a part of the saffron party. So now I announce, that I am with BJP-RSS today onward.”

The comments come after he met Koshyari at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday. Following the meeting, he told India Today, “I briefed him of the incident. Sections under which accused were booked are weak. The governor assured me that he’ll take action on my memorandum. I demanded that state government be dismissed, President Rule’s be imposed. He assured he will speak to the Centre.”

Six suspected Shiv Sena workers had attacked Sharma, which was captured on camera, for allegedly forwarding a cartoon of the party president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on social media. They were arrested and later granted bail. 

Following the attack, Sharma had asked Thackeray to retire if he is unable to run the government. He had said, “I request Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ji that if you cannot run the government, then you should resign. Let people elect a government that can maintain law and order in Maharashtra.”