Ex-IPS officer Ninama, former AAP leader join BJP ahead of Gujarat local polls

Former Gujarat cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer ML Ninama and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raju Karpada joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, April 9, 2026, ahead of the upcoming civic elections in the state.

Mr. Ninama, who recently voluntarily retired three months ahead of his scheduled retirement, joined the BJP at an event at Shamlaji in the Aravalli district. He was inducted into the party in the presence of Minister of State PC Baranda, who holds the portfolios of Tribal Development, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.

Mr. Ninama, 59, from the Scheduled Tribe community, hails from the Aravalli district of north Gujarat. Initially a State Police Service officer, he was later promoted to IPS and lastly served as Inspector General of Police in the Traffic Branch in Gandhinagar. He would retire on June 30.