Daijiworld Media Network - Mandya (RJP)

Mandya, Apr 9: In another blow to Congress, especially after Congress veteran S M Krishna joined BJP, two former MLAs have decided to join JD(S) and have made an announcement to that effect.

Suresh Gowda and Shivarame Gowda have decided to join JD(S). Both of them are former MLAs hailing from Nagamangala in Mandya district and are from Congress.

Sources said that the duo will join JD(S) on Monday, April 10 in the presence of JD(S) Supremo and former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and his son JD(S) state president Kumaraswamy at JP Bhavan in Bengaluru.

When many Congress leaders were joining BJP in the recent past and dissident and suspended JD(S) leaders like Cheluvaraya Swamy are yet to take a call on joining any other party, this move from Congress leaders is really a shot in the arm for JD(S).

Both the leaders said that they are joining the JD(S) without any conditions. But as per sources, Suresh Gowda will contest for Assembly while Shivarame Gowda will contest for Council elections next year. Both consulted each other on this issue and later met Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy in this regard, it is gathered.

Surprisingly if Suresh Gowda was an S M Krishna follower, Shivarame Gowda was in the opposite group.

All the JD(S) leaders from district have been involved concerning this new development and are said to be happy about two Congress leaders joining JD(S). They have vowed to defeat BJP and Congress in the next elections, said JD(S) insiders.