Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Mar 19: Even as state KPCC president Dr Parameshwara made tall claims of 20 BJP legislators planning to join the Congress soon, his party is likely to lose another senior leader, in the form of B L Shankar.

Shankar will join BJP soon, as per sources in the BJP.

As per sources, Shankar is no more interested in remaining in the Congress, where he is said to be feeling sidelined, especially after his mentor S M Krishna left.

Shankar is said to have held a meeting with BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa and may join soon after another meeting takes place, where other aspects which were not discussed in the first meeting would be discussed.

Shankar had lost in the last Assembly elections after he fought it from Bengaluru. After that he was not given any significant role in the party though he was made chief of Karnataka Chitra Kala Parishad, a post which is not considered as politically important.

There were attempts to bring B L Shankar to BJP since 2009. He was asked to join BJP and contest from Bengaluru North then. But as he could not join immediately, D B Chandre Gowda was named candidate from BJP. Incidentally both are Vokkaliga leaders and both hail from Chikkamagaluru district.

Shankar has been appreciating the administrative skills of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national chief Amit Shah since some time, it is gathered.

B L Shankar originally belonged to Janata Parivar and was very close to Deve Gowda. After he developed some differences with Gowda, he joined the Congress. Though he is not considered as a mass leader, he is known for his clean image which may help BJP considerably in elections.

B L Shankar may not contest in the Assembly elections as he does not have any suitable constituency in his home turf Chikkamagaluru district. But he may negotiate for a post if BJP comes to power in state.