Kudligi MLA Nagendra may join Cong

 Speculation is rife that Independent MLA B Nagendra, who represents Kudligi constituency (Reserved for STs) in Ballari, is likely to join the Congress.

It is said that Nagendra might join the ruling party during a state-level Scheduled Tribes convention that Congress president Rahul Gandhi is slated to attend later this month. This could benefit the Congress as Nagendra was seen as an ally of BJP MP from Bellary B Sriramulu, who wields significant political clout in the district. In fact, Nagendra had supported BJP's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind.

Nagendra was first elected on the BJP ticket from Kudligi in 2008. For his second term, Nagendra contested as an Independent candidate. He had defeated Congress candidate B Venkatesha on both the occasions.  In 2013, Nagendra was arrested for his alleged links with illegal iron ore exports.    

Sriramulu has said that he would try to convince Nagendra not to join the Congress. Nagendra, however, was unavailable for comment. Nagendra, an accused iron ore export scam, was arrested and jailed earlier. Now, he is out on bail.