Farmer leader Sharad Joshi on Friday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Joshi is the leader of Shetkari Sangathana, an organisation that fought for the cause of farmers in Maharashtra and outside. Joshi acquired prominence in the 1980s.

Joshi joined the BJP in the presence of general secretary Pramod Mahajan, who said his decision would have a major impact in the politics of Maharashtra specifically and elsewhere in the country.

Joshi was also heading the Swatantra Bharat Party.