Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (SP)

Mysuru, Oct 13: Former state minister and veteran Congress leader, Srinivas Prasad, has decided to quit his assembly seat as well as the primary membership of Congress on October 17. The senior most Dalit leader from the state, who represents Nanjangud constituency in the state assembly, made this announcement at a press conference held at Nanjangud on Wednesday October 12. He said that he has decided to leave Congress, having been frustrated at the conspiracy-driven politics being played by chief minister, Siddaramaiah.

"Since young, I have maintained self respect in political field. Siddaramaiah has delivered a blow to my self respect. I had planned to resign during last month, but postponed it in view of Cauvery dispute. Congress does not seem to be in need of honest politicians like me. Congress is suffering under the grip of a handful of people here, and Siddaramaiah perhaps had to sacrifice my interests to carve out a future for Mallikarjun Kharge's son," he quipped.

Although both JDS and BJP have begun efforts to woo Prasad, as per information, Prasad is considering the option of fighting the election as an independent candidate, and choose a political party after the victory. Still, both JDS state president, H D Kumaraswamy, and BJP state president, B S Yeddyurappa, have got in touch with local leaders to discuss possibility of convincing the veteran to join their respective parties. As soon as his decision to leave assembly and the Congress came to be known, BJP leaders got in touch with him and invited him to join their party on the day retired IAS officer, Shivaram, is scheduled to join it. JDS also offered to admit him in a huge rally that would be held in the city for the purpose, and offered a position of responsibility if he opted to join their party.

However, when a JDS leader recently met him, he reportedly told him that he wants to prove his might by fighting the bypoll independently as he felt he has suffered reverses within his own community. He feels that the coming election will be the litmus test for his popularity in the region. If Prasad decides to fight independently, both JDS and BJP might extend support from outside, without fielding their candidates, it is being analyzed.

As of now, sources said that Srinivas Prasad has remained non-committal, and told leaders of these two parties that he would consider their invitations after he comes out of the Congress.