by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Siddharamaiah meets Sonia at her residence 10, Janpath between 12 noon and 12.30 pm along with Dharam Singh, Mallikarjun Kharge and other State Congress leaders and his supporters. Formal announcement will be made later in the evening 4 O'clock at a Press Conference by Sonia.

Bangalore, July 22: The much-expected significant political development has taken place today.

Former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, at last, joined the Congress today in the presence of Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi at a meeting at 10, Janpath here which lasted nearly 30 minutes from 12 noon.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge, former Minister H.K. Patil, AICC (I) General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka A.K. Antony and Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel were present at the meeting.

According to sources, Sonia Gandhi announced the admission of Siddharamaiah into the party.

There were 12 members in the delegation of Siddharamaiah in the meeting. They included MLAs M.K. Somashekhar, Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, V. Venkatesh, Vyjanath Patil, MLC B.R. Patil and State AHINDA Youth Wing President M. Appanna.

The Congress supremo will formally announce the Siddharamaiah's admission into the party at a press conference this evening 4 O'clock.

Hundreds of his supporters burst crackers as folk troupes beat drums when Siddharamaiah arrived at Karnataka Bhavan from 10, Janpath after the meeting.

Over a thousand fans land in Delhi

More than a thousand followers and fans of former Deputy Chief Minister Siddharamaiah have landed in Delhi to witness their leader's entry to Congress.

His followers from different parts of the State are staying in many hotels and guest houses since a week waiting for their leader's arrival.

Siddharamaiah will host a dinner for them tonight at Karnataka Bhavan here.

He will return to Bangalore tomorrow.