Bengaluru: Former MLA NL Narendra Babu and his supporters joined Congress Sunday in the presence of chief minister DK Shivakumar and KPCC president BK Hariprasad.Babu, who had been with BJP for nearly a decade, alleged that he had not received due recognition in the party.A member of the backward class, Babu was initially elected as a councillor. He later became an MLA from Rajajinagar constituency in 2004, and from Mahalakshmi Layout seat in 2008.Addressing the induction programme, Hariprasad urged members of backward classes and dalit communities not to join BJP merely in the hope of securing political positions. He alleged that BJP uses them for its political interests but does not provide them adequate representation.Recalling Babu’s political journey, Hariprasad said he had won as an independent candidate from Rajajinagar in the 2001 corporation election. “Of the 10 wards in Rajajinagar, Congress had won nine. I spoke to then chief minister SM Krishna, got him (Babu) into the party and secured a ticket for him. He later became an MLA,” he said.Hariprasad urged members of backward classes and dalit communities to think about their children’s future rather than seeking immediate political positions.“Do not join BJP with great expectations. They will use you, but will not make you MLAs. In Congress, you may have to wait, but you will get the position you deserve. It took me 53 years to become KPCC president,” he said.Meanwhile, Shivakumar told the media that several other BJP and JD(S) functionaries are in discussions with him and the Congress state president about joining the party.He said district ministers and party office-bearers have been authorised to prepare a list of leaders who have faith in the Congress ideology and its leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, former chief minister Siddaramaiah and other seniors. “Those who want to join the party will be given an opportunity,” he said.
