Cong expels MLA after he decides to join BJP

BENGALURU: The Congress late on Thursday expelled senior Congress MLA Malikayya Venkayya Guttedar after he announced his decision to quit the ruling party in Karnataka and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the May 12 assembly elections in the state.

Guttedar, a six-time MLA from Afzalpur and a former minister, was reportedly unhappy with Congress and its state leadership over chief minister Siddaramaiah not considering him for ministership.

Later in the day, the party’s state unit expelled him for six years, citing his “anti-party” stand as the reason.

“Afzalpur MLA and Karnataka housing board chairman Malikayya Guttedar has been expelled from the party for six years, for his anti-party stands,” said Karnataka Congress quoting its president G Parameshwara in a statement.

Guttedar, who met BJP’S state president B S Yeddyurappa earlier on Thursday, said he had spoken to chief minister Siddaramaiah over the phone before taking his decision.

“There was confusion (as to) which party I will join. I have decided to join the BJP under the leadership of Yeddyurappa, quitting Congress,” Guttedar told reporters here.

He said he would join the BJP in the presence of party’s national president Amit Shah during his visit to Mysuru on March 30 and 31.

Guttedar said many of his supporters would also join the saffron party. He said he was joining the BJP “unconditionally” to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party’s chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa’s leadership.

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K SIVAN , Isro chairman