Bangalore: Retired DGP Shankar Bidari to join Congress

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Mar 16: Former state director general of police, Shankar Bidari, who was hailed for his role in anti-Veerappan operations, is all set to join the Congress. In all likelihood, he will be fielded by the Congress in the coming state assembly election, from Terdal constituency in Bijapur district.

On Friday March 15, Bidari met senior Congress leader, Oscar Fernandes, at the party’s office in New Delhi, and expressed his desire to join the party. Oscar said that the party respects Bidari’s decision and welcomes him into its fold. “There are no pre-conditions. His is voluntarily joining us. The state unit will decide about the timing of his joining. Bidari has not asked us for being fielded in the coming assembly election,” Oscar said later.

Shankar Bidari, who said that he firmly believes that the Congress is the only party having the potential to lead the country towards progress, is now making efforts to fix an appointment with the national president of the party, Sonia Gandhi.

In the meanwhile, it is gathered that the Congress high command has given its nod for the proposal of independent MLAs, D Sudhakar, P M Narendra Swamy, Venkataramanappa, and Shivaraj Tangadi, to join the party. Sources said that a decision about the desire of former minister, C P Yogeshwar, who resigned from the state cabinet recently, and Raju Gowda, to come into the party fold, is yet to be taken. The sources added that the party will screen the background, potential, and local conditions, before permitting people to join its ranks. They added that wherever there is resistance from local party units for the inclusion of the leaders, a decision would be taken after considering all aspects.

Therefore, in all likelihood, many of those who want to join the Congress with a desire to get a ticket in the coming assembly election, may face disappointment, it is learnt.