In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party in Karnataka, its prominent face and former Bengaluru police commissioner Bhaskar Rao on Wednesday quit the party and joined the ruling BJP in the state.
Mr Rao had joined the AAP just 11 months ago in New Delhi in the presence of the AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
After joining the BJP in the presence of BJP state chief Nalin Kumar Kateel today, the retired IPS officer said only BJP can strengthen India and bring back the lost glory.
"We all should join hands to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is striving to make 'Ek Bharat, Samruddh Bharat' (One India, Prosperous India). I am also impressed by the prominence given to youth and women in the BJP," Mr Rao told reporters here.
He also said he will seek the guidance of Mr Kateel, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, former CM B S Yediyurappa, and other senior BJP leaders.
Mr Rao's resignation comes ahead of Arvind Kejriwal's visit to Davangere in Karnataka on March 4.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kateel said Mr Rao has accepted the ideology and philosophy of the BJP after gaining one year of political experience in the AAP.
He added that the retired IPS officer is impressed by the functioning of the party under the leadership of Modi at national level and Chief Minister Bommai at state level.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Why Do Cards Remain A Preferred Payment Mode In India?
RSS-Linked Books Mandated In Madhya Pradesh Colleges, Opposition Sees Red BJP Sweeps Panchayat Elections In Tripura Man Held For Rape Attempt In UP, BJP Claims He's Linked To Samajwadi Party Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Took Advantage Of His Addiction": 5 Charged Over Matthew Perry's Death "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged For Matthew Perry's Death White House Slams Violence Against West Bank Palestinian Settlers By Israel US Approves Sale Of 600 Patriot Missiles To Germany Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.