Former BJP MLA NL Narendra Babu joined the Congress in Karnataka on Sunday, a day after resigning from the BJP and stepping down as the party’s state OBC Morcha president. He joined the Congress in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and other senior party leaders.
The switch comes amid indications of more movement from the BJP to the Congress in the state. Speaking in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said several BJP leaders, including leaders at the Centre, were in discussions with the Congress.
“A lot of BJP leaders and central leaders are on the way. They are discussing with me, my party President, and various leaders,” Shivakumar said.
The Karnataka CM added that district-level Congress leaders had been authorised to prepare a list
of people interested in joining the party.
“Who believes in our ideology and in the party high command, we will all work together. We will give space to them,” he said.
Narendra Babu had announced his decision to leave the BJP on Saturday. He had served as the party’s Karnataka OBC Morcha president and said he was returning to the Congress.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: On BJP leaders joining Congress, CM DK Shivakumar says, “A lot of BJP leaders and central leaders are on the way. They are discussing with me, my party President, and various leaders. I have authorised all the district ministers and the district… pic.twitter.com/p5QMnpPbnd
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2026
His exit from the BJP came with criticism of the party’s internal functioning. Babu alleged that workers who had worked for the party were not getting adequate recognition or positions.
He had also indicated that he would join the Congress on September 13 in the presence of Shivakumar and Karnataka Congress president B K Hariprasad.
Shivakumar, meanwhile, linked the latest political developments to what he described as growing interest among younger people in the Congress.
“This country is very important, especially as the younger generation is looking at us… opportunity has been given to the BJP for the last 13 years… that is why the younger generation is looking at us,” he said.
The Congress leader’s remarks suggest that the party expects the political movement in Karnataka to continue, with more BJP leaders potentially joining its ranks.
