New Delhi, Apr 4 Former Congress MP Anand Bhaskar Rapolu joined BJP here on Thursday in presence of Union Minister J P Nadda and BJP media in charge Anil Baluni. Bhaskar, who had served in the Congress for 25 years, had resigned from the primary membership of the Congress in March. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012. Aanand Bhaskar Rapolu resigned from Congress last week. After that, there were rumors that he will join BJP.

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Aanand Bhaskar was upset with the Congress as he was denied ticket from Palakurthy constituency in Warrangal district during the Assembly polls in 2018. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nadda said Mr. Rapolu, a former journalist, was one of the pioneers those had launched the Telangana statehood demand.

Aanand Bhaskar was elected to the Rajya Sabha as Congress leader in 2012 and served in the Upper House till 2018. Mr. Rapolu belongs to OBC weaver community and his joining the saffron party is likely to boost the party's prospects in the Warrangal district, party sources said here. Telangana will vote in a single phase for all 17 Lok Sabha seats on April 11. Results will be declared on May 23.

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