Former minister Kumar Bangarappa quit the Congress on Friday, saying he was “neglected” by the party.

In a letter to KPCC president G Parameshwara, he said the party did not give him any responsibility at the district level despite his repeated requests. He accused Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa, who is Shivamogga district in-charge minister, of “indulging in politics of revenge”.

Kumar said Thimmappa had rejected his recommendation on nominating people to ‘Bagair Hukum’ and agriculture produce marketing committees. He said he brought the matter to the attention of state Congress leaders, but nothing was done about it. “There appears to be no place for loyal workers in the Congress. As senior leader S M Krishna said, the party needs managers and dealers, not honest workers,” he told journalists. Kumar said JD(S) workers were being preferred to Congress cadres in Sorab - the Assembly constituency in Shivamogga district represented by his brother Madhu Bangarappa. He declared that he had decided to join the BJP “without any precondition” and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing an “efficient administration” at the Centre.

Reacting to Kumar’s decision, senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the party cannot force people to stay back. “People are free to leave. There is a long list of people who want to join the Congress,” he said.