Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (GA)

Udupi, Apr 16: Former  MP I M Jayaram Shetty who for long is not active in any kind of politics, be it national, state or even local, is now hitting headlines once again.  Sources said that he is all set to leave Samajwadi Party and join Congress on Tuesday April 17 afternoon. 

Reports claimed that union labour minister Oscar Fernandes has consented to admit I M Jayaram Shetty, well-known as IMJ in local politics to Congress. His embracing of Congress is seen as a major blow to local BJP unit which is already facing several other problems.  IMJ has been regarded as a person who can be a genuine mass leader.  Moreover, his entry into Congress would even prove a strongpoint to Congress in Kundapur and surrounding areas where present Kundapur MLA Haladi Srinivas Shetty is ruling the roost.

The official function will be held at 2.30 pm at Shree Veerabhadra Kalabhavan at Kinnimulki here.  This would not only be a new chapter in the life of IMJ but even a moral boosting victory to Congress.

Though IMJ is no more with BJP from which he was elected MP, he has his few followers in BJP who had not accompany him when he moved to JD (U) and then to Samajwadi Party with Bangarappa.

It is said that he has already placed one condition that he should be given ticket from Kundapur for the next elections if present Brahmavar MLA K Jayaprakash Hegde does not join Congress.  As reported earlier in these columns Brahmavar assembly constituency is set to lose its existence as per the delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies.  But there are some doubting Thomases who are already asking as how long IMJ would be in Congress fold?