Bangalore: Shankar Bidari joins Congress, vows to serve till end
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Mar 19: Retired state director general of police, Shankar Bidari, officially joined the Congress here on Monday March 18. In-charge of state Congress affairs, Madhusudhan Mistry, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dr G Parameshwar, and other leaders accorded a warm welcome to Bidari at the party office.
Educationist, Prof K E Radhakrishna and Dr S L Jayanna, too joined the party on this occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Bidari pledged to serve the people by remaining in the Congress till the end. "Having served in the police department in various capacities for 42 years, I now want to repay the love, trust and support given by the people. I have hence joined politics.
Asked why he chose Congress, he said it is the the only party which gives opportunities to all people irrespective of community, caste or language. On whether he would like to contest for the assembly elecions, he said he would leave that decision to the party.
Bidari, it is said, wants to make a mark at the national politics. However, the party also is considering the prospects of fielding him from Terdal constituency in Bagalkot district in the assembly election. If this does not come through, he may be chosen to be the Congress candidate for Lok Sabha election from Bagalkot constituency, party sources said. The national leadership of the party is learnt to be considering the option of offering him the post of All India Congress Committee general secretary.
The party wants to cash in on the huge following Bidari has in north Karnataka region on account of his meritorious service as a police officer, and also the fact that he belongs to the powerful Veerashaiva community that has a strong presence there.