Former MLA Raju Kage to join Cong on Nov 13

Team Udayavani, Nov 11, 2019, 2:54 PM IST

Bengaluru: Former MLA Raju Kage on Monday informed that he has quit BJP party and will be joining Congress on November 13.

Addressing presspersons after meeting Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah Raju said, “I have worked for BJP day and night but the party hasn’t given me due respect. I have already submitted my resignation to the concerned officials. I will never return to BJP.”

He further added, “I have already met Congress leaders Siddramaiah and DK Shivakumar to discuss the matter. They have also promised my party ticket for the coming bypolls.”

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa reacting on Raju’s resignation said, “It doesn’t matter who leaves or join that party but BJP is sure to win the bypolls.”

These bypolls were necessitated after the resignation and subsequent disqualification of 17 MLAs comprising 14 from Congress and three from the JD(S) by the then speaker K R Ramesh Kumar.

Their disqualification had brought down the coalition government of Congress and the JD(S) and installed the BJP government in Karnataka.

The election dates for Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Maski constituencies were not announced as the matter is pending in court.