2009 Poll Prospects And Alignments-2

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<b>BJP nets Congress MLA, more to follow</b>

Express News Service
First Published : 05 Feb 2009 04:06:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 05 Feb 2009 12:53:57 PM IST

BANGALORE: Barely a month after Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa promised to focus on development, by winding up ‘Operation Lotus,’ the poaching of rival sitting MLA has continued unabated by the BJP. This time it is to improve its tally in the Lok Sabha.

The BJP on Wednesday netted sitting Congress MLA and former minister Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli from Bidar district. Nagamarapalli is likely to be fielded from Bidar in the coming Sabha polls. The New Indian Express on January 11 had reported on BJP’s plan to “roll out Operation Lotus - II,” to strengthen its base in the run-up to the Sabha polls. Nagamarapalli, a powerful Lingayat leader and five-time MLAla, submitted his resignation to Speaker Jagadish Shettar hours after announcing his desire to join the saffron brigade. He has been representing the Congress in the Assembly from Bidar segment.

Nagamarapalli later told reporters that he would officially join the BJP in the presence of Advani, Yeddyurappa and other senior leaders at a rally to be organised in Bidar soon.

Though Nagamarappalli said that the good programmes of the BJP made him quit the Congress, the real reason is said to be a bailout from inquires into the alleged irregularities in Bidar DCC Bank and the Karanja Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane headed by him.When asked, he said that he had come with no pre-conditions and would contest the Lok Sabha polls if his new party decided to field him. Nagamarapalli and former MLA from Basavakalyan, Marutirao Mule, met senior BJP leader L K Aadvani at the HAL Aairport and sought his blessings before joining the party. Aa senior leader admitted that the party may poach more rival party leaders in the coming days.