Chincholi MLA Umesh Jadhav, whose disqualification has been sought by the Congress under the anti-defection law for skipping two Legislature Party meetings, has submitted his resignation to Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar on Monday.
Though Mr. Jadhav, a two-time MLA, had earlier claimed that he will not quit the Congress, his brother Ramachandra Jadhav confirmed the developments. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ramachandra Jadhav said, “My brother will join the BJP and contest from the Kalaburgi Lok Sabha constituency.”
Sources said Mr. Jadhav is keen on contesting on a BJP ticket against Congress leader M. Mallikarjun Kharge, who has never lost an election so far.
Sources claimed that factors such as denial of ministerial berth during the Cabinet expansion in December, owing to the alleged interference of Mr. Kharge, and dominance in the district by Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge have forced Mr. Jadhav to distance himself from the party in recent days.