Another blow to Mallikarjun Kharge! Senior Congress neta Malakaraddy joins BJP

Bengaluru: Former minister and Congress senior leader from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region Dr A.B. Malakaraddy joined the BJP here on Friday which comes as another blow for senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge who is facing a tough battle in the Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency.

Dr Malakareddy joined the BJP in the presence of party state president B.S. Yeddyurappa at the party office in Malleswaram. Welcoming Dr Malakaraddy to the party fold, Mr. Yeddyurappa said his joining the party would have a huge impact in the Hyderabad Karnataka region and strengthen the BJP base.

"Our party candidate Dr Umesh Jadhav will win the Kalaburagi seat, now the entry of Dr Malakareddy and his followers will help increase his victory margin in the coming poll", Mr Yeddyurappa said.

Many more leaders from other parties are on the verge of joining the BJP, Mr Yeddyurappa said.

He, however, ruled out the possibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi contesting from Bengaluru South Lok Sabha seat as is being speculated.

Including Bengaluru South, the party central leadership is yet to announce the candidates for seven Lok Sabha constituencies and the central election committee will release the second list in a day or two, he said.

In a reference to the Mandya seat, Mr Yeddyurappa said the party favours supporting Independent candidate Sumalatha Ambaressh but the central leadership will take a final call in this regard. In a scathing attack on Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Dr Malakaraddy said the former had developed a dictatorial attitude and had made redundant all other leaders. Kharge's leadership is disastrous for the region as the Congress leader is indulging in nepotism and is only interested in promoting his son Priyank Kharge, he said. The exodus from the Congress would continue in protest against Kharge’s leadership, he added.