Nagamarapalli quits Assembly, joins BJP

Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore [SP]

Bangalore, Feb 5: In a quick volte-face of political loyalties, ex-minister and current MLA from the Congress, Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli resigned from his seat as well as the primary membership of the Congress party and joined the BJP.

Nagamarapalli, who is nursing an ambition of entering the Loksabha, apparently was enticed by the BJP by offering him a ticket. It is almost certain, that he will be the BJP candidate from the Bidar Loksabha seat this time.

Nagamarapalli, who took the decision in a swift move, faxed his resignation to the primary membership of the Congress to the Congress office here and met BJP leader and opposition leader in the Loksabha L K Advani in the afternoon. He was escorted to the HAL airport here by ministers R Ashok and Katta Subrahmanya Naidu for meeting L K Advani, who was here on way to New Delhi after taking part in the 101st birthday celebrations of Sri Shivakumar Swamiji at Siddhaganga. Nagamarapalli expressed his wish to join the BJP after offering a bouquet to Advani.

In the evening, he met assembly speaker Jagadish Shettar at his residence and handed over his resignation letter from his assembly seat, duly clarifying that he was doing so on his own will and accord and with a clear mind. The speaker, after confirming that the resignation conforms to the rules in force, accepted it.

Speaking to reporters later, Nagamarapalli said that he decided to join the BJP, duly appreciating the development initiatives undertaken by chief minister Yeddyurappa and his government. "The country is at the cross roads and terrorism has been posing a major challenge to the country. I appreciate the stand of BJP on this issue and have enormous respect for Advani," he explained.  He also clarified, that issuing a Loksabha ticket or otherwise to him is entirely left to the choice of the BJP leadership and that he was not lured by any offers. Nagamarapalli will soon be organizing a mega public meeting in Bidar where he will be announcing his decision to join the BJP.

Minister Ashok who was present at the press conference, said that many people on their own, have been joining the BJP's bandwagon, convinced of the need to form a strong government at the centre under the leadership of L K Advani. "This is not Operation Kamala. People are joining on their own will and there is no need to draw speculative  inferences to their acts. BJP can not refuse to admit people who want to do social service by joining the BJP," said minister Katta Subrahmanya Naidu.

At the same time, sources within the BJP reveal, that the party is trying to convince a few more influential politicians to join the party as it wants to bag at least 20 out of the 28 Loksabha seats in the state. Chintamani Congress MLA Sudhakar and ex-MLA Shivaram from Hassan district who lost in the recent election, are being targetted at present, they said.