Daijiworld Media Network – (NR)
Mangalore Dec 16: In a noteworthy turn of events, the JD(S) rebel leader M.P. Prakash is reportedly said to have met the Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and M.V. Rajashekharan in the city in the morning of Saturday, Dec 15 and is understood to have discussed plans to join the Congress party.
According to sources the JD (S) senior leader M P Prakash flew in to the city of Mangalore, at the express invitation of the said two Central leaders, who accordingly met Prakash at the city airport.
As most in the city are aware Oscar Fernandes and Rajashekharan were in the city to participate in the All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana (the literary conference), taking place at Udupi.
Further sources informed that the two leaders conveyed to Prakash, the High Command's consent to his entry into the party. It is believed that the Congress party leadership has promised a plum post for Prakash in the party. However, as Prakash is not contesting the elections, the party ticket will be given to his son in his place, added sources.
The Congress party on the other hand is quite clear on the fact that they will be giving party tickets for the forthcoming elections to only four of the 12 former JD(S) legislators. Moreover plans too are afoot, for M P Prakash to meet AICC (I) observer Prithviraj Chauhan in Bangalore.
Taking stock of this situation and having no hope of getting the Congress tickets, in the meantime MLC Puttabasappa and other five former JD(S) MLAs, who were in the camp of Prakash are now understood to have decided to return to the JD(S) fold.