Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 23: Leader of Vishwakarma community and general secretary of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, K P Nanjundi, has resigned from Congress and crossed over to the BJP.

When BJP state president, B S Yeddyurappa, visited him at his residence on Thursday June 22 to invite him into the BJP, Nanjundi accepted the invitation instantly and announced in Yeddyurappa's presene that he was joining BJP symbolically on the spot.

Nanjundi said that he had served Congress for 16 years and that he took a decision to leave the party as his self respect had been dented. "I am joining BJP without any preconditions and will sincerely serve that party even if I am given the job of an attender," he stated. He also blamed Congress of not doing anything for Vishwakarma community.

Yeddyurappa visited Nanjundi at his residence at Sanjay Nagar along with senior leader, V Somanna, and others. Some Swamijis of Vishwakarma community were present there. The decision to join BJP was announced after consultations lasting about an hour.

Rumours say that Yeddyurappa, who wants to encash the stature and popularity of Nanjundi as a leader of backward classes, might offer him the post of state vice president of the party. Is is gathered that he has also promised Nanjundi of making him an MLC if BJP forms the next government. If a suitable constituency is identified, he might also be fielded as BJP candidate in assembly election, sources said.

Nanjundi was frustrated as Congress party, which repeatedly promised him to make MLC, failed to do so at the last minute each time.

Yeddyurappa announced that Nanjundi, a backward classes leader, had joined BJP without any conditions and that he would be given a post that would befit his stature.