![AAP Suffers Major Setback as Senior Leader Bhaskar Rao Joins BJP Ahead of Karnataka Polls](http://media.assettype.com/sinceindependence%2F2023-03%2F20226c97-d60e-40f5-97e9-d49faa133da3%2FBhaskar_Rao_Joins_BJP_Ahead_of_Karnataka_Polls.png?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Bhaskar Rao Joins BJP: Assembly elections in Karnataka are to be held this year. All parties are busy preparing for the elections.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Karnataka suffered a major setback yesterday i.e. on Mar 01.
On Wednesday, Bhaskar Rao, one of the prominent faces of the Aam Aadmi Party in Karnataka, quits the party and joined BJP.
Bhaskar Rao was the former Police Commissioner of Bengaluru. A few days ago, he joined Arvind Kejriwal's party Aam Aadmi Party. But on Wednesday Bhaskar Rao left AAP and joined BJP.
His leaving AAP and joining BJP is being considered a big blow for Kejriwal.
Bhaskar Rao was welcomed by BJP's state unit president Nalin Kumar Kateel and others.
Apart from being inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the saffron party, Rao pointed to the developments in Delhi and said it is shameful that two of AAP ministers are in jail. There is no clarity in the party.
Rao was recently appointed as the chairman of the AAP's election manifesto committee for Karnataka.
Rao, an IPS officer belonging to the Karnataka cadre, had joined AAP after taking voluntary retirement about a year ago.
Commenting on his exit from the party, Rao on Tuesday i.e. Feb 28 claimed that there is no scope for development in the party and hence he has decided to move on.
Ahead of assembly elections in less than two months, the incident has put the AAP on the back foot in a state where it is eyeing to retain its hold in south India.
Bhaskar Rao also attacked AAP after his resignation. He attacked the party over corruption charges against Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain.