B Bhaskar Rao, a 1990-batch Karnataka cadre IPS officer and a resident of Bangalore, joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) here on Monday after serving in various capacities in the police force for 32 years. He was welcomed to the party by senior AAP leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
AAP’s Karnataka unit convener Prithvi Reddy, state election in-charge and Timarpur MLA Dilip Pandey, organization secretary Damodaran and other leaders were present on the occasion at the party’s headquarters in Delhi. Rao, who was serving as Additional Director General of Police (Railways), resigned in September last year citing personal reasons.
He left his office on Friday to join the AAP after the Karnataka government accepted his resignation and relieved him of his duties. Rao’s joining is seen as a shot in the arm of the AAP.
The party leaders believe that the popularity and influence of the former IPS officer will help the AAP to better implement its expansion plan ahead of the state assembly elections, now ruled by the BJP. The AAP contested the Karnataka Assembly elections for the first time in 2018, fielding candidates in 28 of the 124 assembly seats, but could not open its account.
Riding on its outstanding victory in Punjab, the party is now hoping for its dominance in the southern states. During his tenure, Rao held various positions and served as Bangalore Police Commissioner, State Transport Commissioner and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) – Internal Security.
He received the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2015, the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2008 and the United Nations Medal in 2000 for his services to international peacekeeping on the battlefield.
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