From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 12: Senior Congress leaders Jagadeesh Shettar and Laxman Savadi, who had quit BJP to join the party in the run-up to the assembly polls, have given him a list of over 42 leaders from north and south Karnataka wishing to join Congress and declined to disclose the names at this stage.

“Both Shettar and Savadi have discussed with me the names of leaders from other parties who can be inducted into the party. We will take a decision only after discussing with local leaders and ensuring consensus within the party before admitting leaders from other parties,’’ he said.

Addressing the media at the KPCC office on Thursday at a function to admit former BJP MLA Ramappa Lamani into the party along with his supporters, he mentioned that some people are claiming that assembly elections are likely in 2024 along with Lok Sabha polls as part of BJP’s one-nation-one election plan.

“I am not going to talk about speculations,’’ he said disclosing that over 100 candidates, who had contested on AAP ticket in the Assembly polls have met him stating that they have identified themselves with the INDIA opposition formation.

Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC chief, said a team of BJP leaders has been meeting Congress party leaders and legislators and that he has been getting information about the developments.

“However, I am not going to comment on these developments despite persistent questions from the media,’’ he said, declaring that he will speak at the appropriate time.

The BJP leader and former MLA Lamani said he joined the Congress party unconditionally because he is deeply hurt and disappointed by the BJP at the shabby treatment meted out to him and his followers. “I will wholeheartedly support Congress candidates in the Lok Sabha polls,’’ he declared.

Lamani indicated that several leaders from BJP and other parties from northern Karnataka are likely to join Congress in the coming days. He pointed out that several BJP MLAs have won within a slender margin of 1500 votes in the assembly polls and the BJP strength could have slumped to 40 or less if something had happened in those constituencies.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and MP G M Siddeshwar called on Shivakumar at his residence in the morning and held discussions. The details of the discussions, however, have been kept under wraps.