Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Mar 1: Even though the assembly election in the state is a year away, exodus from other parties into BJP has already begun, and several leading personalities have embraced the saffron party in the recent past. Following suit, a popular leader from coastal Karnataka, Jayaprakash Hegde, who was with the Congress till recently, will be hopping into the BJP bandwagon on March 8. Hegde, who has a clean image, BJP hopes, will be an asset to the party.
Dinakar Shetty of JD(S), a former MLA representing Kumta constituency, and Pramod Hegde from Yallapura, a Congress leader, were admitted into the BJP on Tuesday. Along with Hegde, who is a former minister, MP, and MLA, former Bhatkal Congress MLA, J D Naik, will be joining the BJP that day.
The other leader who is expected to join the BJP soon are former MLA from Hanur, Parimala Nagappa of JD(S), who is expected to join the party on March 16. Within days, Kumar Bangarappa is expected to announce the date of identifying himself with BJP.
J P Hegde followers meeting BJP leaders in Bengaluru
Dinakar Shetty from Kumta and Pramod Hegde from Yallapura joining BJP
As per information, Jayaprakash Hegde is joining BJP with the tacit understand that BJP will allot him the Lok Sabha ticket for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency, which he had once represented as Congress candidate. Shobha Karandlaje, who is currently the MP from this constituency, and who had defeated Hegde in the previous election, is expected to become a MLA and possibly a state minister if BJP rises to power in the state.
Although there is a general feeling that Jayaprakash will be an adversary for Kundapur MLA, Haladi Srinivas Shetty, clash between them may not happen as Jayaprakash Hegde is said to be interested only in Lok Sabha and not state affairs. As per current indications, once Kumar Bangarappa joins BJP, he will be allotted ticket from Sorab constituency, and Hartalu Halappa, BJP candidate and former minister, who was defeated by Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S) last time, will be fielded from Sagar constituency.