Karnataka: Suspended Congress leader Roshan Baig to join BJP, to resign from MLA post

Roshan Baig, who was recently suspended by the Congress in Karnataka with immediate effect for "anti-party" activities, said he was hurt by the way his party treated him and that he will resign from the post of MLA and join the BJP soon. “I'm hurt by the way Congress party treated me, I'll resign from my MLA post and join the BJP,  Baig told news agency ANI.

His statement came at a time when the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka has plunged into a crisis and the ruling coalition faces the risk of losing its majority if the resignations are accepted.

Last month, the Congress suspended Baig from the party with immediate effectfor "anti-party" activities. "All India Congress Committee has approved the proposalsent by KPCC to take action against R Roshan Baig, MLA on account of his anti-party activities," the state Congress said in a release.

"He has been suspended from the party with immediate effect, on the basis of inquiry conducted on this matter," it said.Hitting out at Congress leaders for the party's performance in the Lok Sabha polls, Baig, a MLA from Shivajinagar, had recently held Siddaramaiah's "arrogance" and KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao's "immaturity" responsible for the "flop show.

"He also called AICC general secretary K C Venugopal a "buffoon."He had also dropped hints of quitting the party, and appealed to Muslims to "compromise" with the situation, on NDA returning to power.The Karnataka PCC had issued a show cause notice to Baig for his conduct, to which he has not responded, according to sources.

KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao had said Baig's alleged links with IMA jewels involved in an alleged financial fraud, duping thousands of investors, would be brought to the notice of central leadership for further action.

Revenue minister RV Deshpande said Baig had introduced the firm's owner Mohammed Mansoor Khan to him about two months ago but denied doing any undue favour.Baig, a seven-time MLA and a former minister, has been expressing displeasure against the Congress party leadership on not being included in the coalition cabinet headed by HDKumaraswamy.