Former Congress MLA Krishna Hegde and Bollywood actor Dalip Tahil have joined the BJP ahead of the Bombay municipal corporation elections slated for February 21.
The duo joined the BJP in presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP unit chief Raosaheb Danve at the CM's official residence Varsha in South Mumbai late Sunday night.
Asked about his reason for his leaving the Congress, Hegde said the "autocratic behaviour" of Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam was responsible for his decision.
"I tried to point out to the party leadership about how Nirupam was damaging the party. However, no cognisance was taken of my plea," Hegde, who represented the Vile Parle assembly constituency said. "I am a second-generation Congressman. Nirupam has ruined the party," he said.
The Congress won't get more than 25 of the total 227 seats in the BMC polls, Hegde added.
Image: A file photograph of Krishna Hegde with Congress president Sonia Gandhi.