Daijiworld Media Network - Hassan (SP)

Hassan, Jan 11: Veteran Congressman from Hassan, ex-minister and ex-MP, 85-year old H C Srikantaiah, whose staunch loyalties were with the Congress party since the last about 45 years, is ready to embrace a new party at this advanced age. The BJP, which has failed to make any inroads into the Hassan district where the two parties, JD(S) and the Congress alone have been able to rule the roost  since long, is prepared to make its presence felt in the district by embracing the leader into its fold.

Of late, the JD(S) has gained an upper hand in the district, because of the shrewd maneuvering of the H D Deve Gowda family. In spite of having two MLAs in the district, the Congress has lost its grip over the people. Many leaders are reportedly unhappy over the inability of the Congress leaders in chalking strategies towards beating back the onward march of the JD(S) in the district. Several leaders from the district are reportedly ready to follow Srikantaiah into the BJP fold.

Srikantaiah is unhappy with the Congress because of the fact that his views and opinions do not carry enough weight there of late, particularly after D K Shivkumar was made the working president of the KPCC. Political activists, particularly those who are nursing a grudge against H D Deve Gowda's family and who are disappointed over the perceived soft corner the state leaders have towards the JD(S), are rearing to join a party which can pose a challenge to the JD(S) in the district, and apparently their choice appears to be BJP.

Once Srikantaiah's entry into the BJP gets the nod, his followers are expected to join that party in masse.