Ex-MLA and BJP leader NL Narendra Babu addresses a press meet in Bengaluru on Friday Photo | Express
Karnataka

Ex-MLA Narendra Babu quits BJP, to join Congress

Narendra Babu, a Tigala community leader, said he was resigning from BJP membership and as state OBC Morcha president.

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Former BJP MLA and party’s state OBC Morcha president NL Narendra Babu on Friday announced his resignation from the party, accusing the party leadership of ignoring those who worked for its growth and denying them due recognition. He is scheduled to join the Congress on September 13 in the presence of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and KPCC president B K Hariprasad.

Narendra Babu, a backward Tigala community leader, told reporters that he was resigning from both the BJP’s primary membership and the state OBC Morcha president’s post.

“I am not an opportunistic politician. I have given 10 years of my political life to the BJP, but I have been denied proper position and recognition. They kept making me wait,” he said. He alleged that the BJP had sidelined him and his supporters in Rajajinagar and Mahalakshmi Layout despite their dedicated work for the party.

Recalling the 2019 political developments, Narendra Babu said he had sacrificed his constituency when 17 Congress and JDS MLAs joined the BJP through Operation Kamala.

The former MLA also accused the BJP of becoming dominated by “father-and-son” politics and alleged that only those close to the leadership were being given opportunities. He further alleged that the party’s state leaders and MPs were not responding adequately to issues concerning Karnataka. “RSS decisions have become final in the BJP,” he alleged.

Narendra Babu said he had decided to join the Congress unconditionally. His move is significant for the Congress as the party seeks to strengthen its AHINDA base ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.

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