Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jan 13: In the presence of the state BJP president D V Sadanand Gowda and law and parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Kumar, about 130 workers and leaders from the Congress, JDS and Swabhimani Vedike joined the BJP. The exodus has the potential of spelling trouble for the other parties who were hoping to dash the BJP's hopes in the next Loksabha election, by riding on the anti-incumbency wave in the BJP which was threatening to rock the party's fortunes.

Nalini Lokappa Gowda, Saja Radhakrishna Alva, Boodiyar Radhakrishna Rai, B Mohan Rao, Mundala Mohan Alva and  Vinod Kumar Rai were some of the important leaders who crossed over to the BJP from other parties and forums.

Over 20 members of gram pinheads including some women from minority communities were among those who joined the BJP.

Speaking after welcoming those who joined the party, MP D V Sadanand Gowda clarified that this was not a part of its Operation Kamala but the people had chosen to join the BJP on their own. He also congratulated the activists and workers of Swabhimani Vedike for joining the party and putting an end to the revolt the BJP faced in the region.

Minister Suresh Kumar said that Puttur has always been a strong bastion of the BJP. The way the party is receiving support from the people of Puttur has given rise to doubts that the other parties may have to lock up their offices here, he commented.

District BJP president Monappa Bhandary, secretary Nalin Kumar Kateel, former MLA A Rukmaya Poojary, MLA Mallika Prasad Bhandary, taluk panchayat president Chanila Timmappa Shetty, town municipal president Rajesh Bannur etc., were present.