Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (DC)

Bengaluru, Apr 22: Former BJP MLA Belur Gopalakrishna joined Congress on Sunday April 22, after he was denied ticket from Sagar assembly constituency by the BJP.

He joined the Congress in the presence of party leaders Dinesh Gundu Rao, B K Hariprasad and others.

After joing the Congress, Gopalkrishna said that he would support his relative Kagodu Thimmappa this time.

"I will make sure that BJP leader Haratalu Halappa loses from Sagar constituency. The Congress will come back to power. The promises and agenda of the BJP are bogus," he alleged.

In a tweet, the Karnataka Congress welcomed him into the party. "We welcome 2-time MLA from Sagara constituency in Shivamogga District, Shri Beluru Gopala Krishna to the Congress today. He will strength the Congress in Shivamogga, Mangaluru and other districts."

"We welcome 2-time MLA from Sagara constituency in Shivamogga District, Shri Beluru Gopala Krishna to the Congress today.

He will strength the Congress in Shivamogga, Mangaluru and other districts": @dineshgrao, KPCC Working President#INC4Karnataka pic.twitter.com/YdfZPp2od7

— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) April 22, 2018

Gopalkrishna had contested on JD(S) ticket in 2013 and lost.

Meanwhile, Vijaypura BJP district president Vittal Katakadonda also joined the Congress on April 22 after BJP denied him a ticket from Nagathana SC seat.