Bengaluru: The Congress party in Karnataka suffered another jolt yesterday with former IPS Officer and educationist K.C. Ramamurthy resigning as the member of Rajya Sabha and also submitting his resignation to primary membership of the Congress party as well.

Ramamurthy, who was elected to the Upper House on June 11, 2016, submitted his resignation to Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, who is also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Sources said that the former Cop was all set to join the BJP.

Speaking to media persons, Ramamurthy said it was a long pending decision. “I had conveyed my decision to quit to the Congress leaders long back. But no one took it seriously. I feel the party has failed to utilise my experience,” said Ramamurthy.

“I had expected some changes in the party. However, nothing happened. So, disgusted over the state of affairs, I decided to resign from the Congress and from the membership of the Upper House,” Ramamurthy said. 

Asked if he was planning to join the BJP, Ramamurthy said that he had met BJP President Amit Shah on various issues. “I have not yet decided on joining the BJP. I would decide on my further course of action in a few days,’’ he said.

Interestingly, the then ruling Congress with 123 members in the Assembly had elected Jairam Ramesh and Oscar Fernandes as its first and second nominees in 2016 Rajya Sabha polls.

It was falling short of 12 votes to elect its third candidate. However, it pitched Ramamurthy as its third nominee against JD(S) candidate B.M. Farooq, despite not having the adequate numbers. 

Ramamurthy managed to garner 52 votes after eight JD(S) rebel MLAs, led by Zameer Ahmed Khan (now in the Congress), cross-voted defying the party whip and four Independent MLAs, too, supported him.

In the recent times, a number of Rajya Sabha MPs from different parties have quit their respective parties and joined the BJP. They include four Telugu Desam Party members.

Neeraj Shekhar, Surendra Singh Nagar and Sanjay Seth had recently quit the Samajwadi Party and given up their Rajya Sabha membership to join the BJP.

Bhubneshwar Kalita and Sanjay Singh, both from the Congress, also resigned from the Upper House.