Karnataka's former MLA N.L. Narendra Babu has resigned from the BJP and is going back to the Congress party after ten years. His political switch has opened a new political debate in Karnataka, and the BJP has suffered a loss, especially in Bengaluru's political world.
Narendra Babu, who was once part of the Rajajinagar constituency in Bengaluru, has been a figure in state politics for a long time. A return to the Congress is only one more change in his politics, since he had rejected the party nearly a decade ago.
Narendra Babu has been a part of many national parties in Karnataka (both Congress and BJP). The move to the BJP attracted great attention at that time, and reports that he had expressed his frustration with the leadership of the Congress and claimed that he was sidelined in the party.
Nearly ten years later, his reported decision to leave the BJP and return to the Congress is a complete reversal of that political decision. At a time when Karnataka’s big political parties are strengthening their organisational networks and preparing for future electoral battles, this development comes just as Karnataka’s major political parties are preparing their organisational networks and preparing for the coming elections.
Narendra Babu’s political background is important in Bengaluru, where other districts like Rajajinagar have seen so much competition between the Congress and BJP in the last few years. In his former state as a politician and with good relationships with the local political scene, his return to power will be strategically very important for the Congress.
The resignation of the former MLA is likely to cause discussion within the BJP about its organisation and leadership in Bengaluru. Political defections are not unusual in Karnataka and leaders have frequently oscillated between Congress, BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) depending on political circumstances.
In the Congress, for example, the return of a former MP with organisational experience will help to build its base among local workers and supporters. The party has been working to consolidate an electorate base for itself in Karnataka since coming to power in the state.
The developments also come at a time of increasing political activity in Karnataka. Senior Congress leaders have been trying to strengthen their social and organisational support ahead of the next big electoral contests. Recently, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been involved in Dalit and OBC organisations, and the party's AHINDA politics and social justice agenda are being more and more appreciated.
At the same time, the BJP is now taking up the campaign against the Congress government. Several Karnataka BJP leaders such as B.Y. Vijayendra and other party leaders have intensified their criticism of the government of Karnataka, but the opposition is going on political activities and campaigns all over the state.
Narendra Babu's exit could also add to the political tension between the two parties. One leader’s move may not have a big impact on the state’s political equation alone, but such shifts can change the dynamics of local parties in a particular way where the leader has a political base.
Narendra Babu's return to Congress after almost a decade is therefore being closely watched by political observers. The next question will be when the Congress leadership formally receives him and what responsibility, if any, is assigned to him within the party.
The development could make BJP officials ask whether they still need to retain experienced leaders and build their network locally. Congress has a chance to link the return to the party as evidence of confidence in it.
In Karnataka’s already very active political environment, the resignation of Narendra Babu from the BJP and his return to Congress in recent days will be a key talking point in the coming days in Bengaluru.
