Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Nov 12: Santhosh Kumar, who won the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) poll held over a month ago, as an independent candidate from Kuloor ward, now joined BJP formally on Sunday, November 11 evening.

He was ceremoniously welcomed in a function held at Kavoor.

Santhosh Kumar was one of the aspirants to contest the polls on in Congress ticket. But, the Congress denied the ticket to him. Finally he contested the poll as an independent candidate and won it.

On the other hand, Congress expelled him from the party for his rebellion. Now, he has joined BJP. Hence, the strength of the BJP corporators in MCC has been increased to 35 while the total strength of the corporators is 60.

Speaking on this occasion, Suratkal MLA Krishna Palemar said that, elections are expected at any time. Therefore, the party activists should be ready to face the polls at any time, he called for.

At the same time, the BJP corporators who won the MCC polls under Suratkal Legislative Assembly Constituency were felicitated by the party leaders.

Monappa Bhandary, district president of BJP, presided over the function. BJP leaders Ganesh Hosabettu, Nalinkumar Kateel, Umanath Kotian, Shanker Bhat, Ramachandra Baikampady, Sudhir Kannur and others were present on this occasion.