Decks cleared for ex-BJP legislators to join Congress

The decks have been cleared for the eight former BJP legislators, who were expelled for alleged anti-party activities, to formally join the Congress. An official announcement in this regard is likely to be made in New Delhi tomorrow.

The legislators, who had formed a separate party called the ‘‘Pragati Vichara Vedike’’, will join the Congress in the presence of AICC president Sonia Gandhi, general secretaries Oscar Fernandes and Vyalar Ravi, Chief Minister S.M. Krishna and KPCC president Allum Veerabhadrappa. The eight legislators are A. Manju (Arakalgud), Dr. Bharathi Shankar (Narasipura), Gantaganahalli Krishnappa (Doddaballapura), V. Papanna (Hunsur), H.C. Basavaraju (Periyapattana), C. Guruswamy (Chamarajanagar), Gundappa Vakil (Aurad), and K.H. Hanume Gowda (Hassan).

Six of the eight legislators have already left for Delhi, accompanied by State Revenue Minister H.C. Srikantiah. The remaining two are also scheduled to leave with MP G. Puttaswamy Gowda today.

According to KPCC sources, the party had decided to induct Bharati Shankar some time back. However, there was a delay after local Congress leaders opposed the induction of other legislators. Chikkaballapura MP R.L. Jalappa is still protesting the induction of Gantaganahalli Krishnappa while the Hunsur Congress leaders are opposed to Papanna’s entry. Manju, on the other hand, is reportedly facing stiff resistance from Gandasi legislator Shivaram.