Kumar Bangarappa joins BJP

Former Karnataka chief minister late S Bangarappa's son Kumar Bangarappa, who recently quit the Congress, joined the BJP today.

Kumar Bangarappa, a former state minister, had quit Congress citing the "suffocating" atmosphere in the party and pressure from party workers and is returning to BJP after a 13-year gap.

BJP State unit President B S Yeddyurappa welcomed him, saying it would help strengthen the party.

Bangarappa said, "We were let down by the Congress" and added that he was joining BJP "wholeheartedly". Actor-turned politician Bangarappa had in 2004 joined BJP along with his father but shortly thereafter quit the party and re-joined Congress.