Udupi: Vasanth Salian resigns from JD(S), to hop over to BJP

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (UM/SHS)

Udupi, Mar 21: With general elections approaching, party-hopping and loyalty-shifting exercises seem to be at an all-time high across constituencies.

In one such episode, former minister and five-time MLA Vasant Salian, who contested for the assembly seat on JD(S) ticket during the last assembly elections, has reportedly sent his resignation letter to party leaders.

Over the past few days, speculations had been rife about Salian making his entry into BJP ahead of parliamentary elections. It may be recalled that earlier he was miffed with the Congress for being denied the ticket from Kaup Assembly constituency, and contested on JD(S) ticket to take on Vinay Kumar Sorake against whom he lost.

It is said that Salian, a strong Billawa community leader, held talks with BJP district president Tingale Vikramarjuna Hegde and Kaup unit president Suresh Nayak over joining the party.

Expressing disappointment with the Udupi JD(S) district president for neglecting him, Vasanth Salian has reportedly decided to quit the party. According to sources close to Salian, he has already sent his resignation letter to party supremo Deve Gowda and is waiting for approval.

In another political move, Udupi-Chikmagalur candidate from BJP Shobha Karandlaje has met Salian to discuss his next move and has insisted him to join the party to support her candidature.