Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Feb 25: For the first time after a long gap since having been expelled from the Congress for six years sometime ago, former MP and BJP leader, K Jayaprakash Hegde, met veteran Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member, Oscar Fernandes, and held discussions with him. The meeting between these two leaders has given rise to hectic political activity.
However, the stage for the meeting of the two leaders was provided by a programme organized to pay homage to Shirthady William Pinto, who passed away recently. In addition to Oscar and Hegde, other Congress leaders like Vinay Kumar Sorake and those who were close to Pinto participated.
Jayaprakash Hegde had been expelled by the Congress for six years by way of disciplinary action for contesting in an election to the legislative council from local administrations constituency about three years back as a rebel against the party's official candidate. Hegde was defeated in the election. It is said that this is the first time he met Oscar after that incident.
Is Hegde considering returning to Congress?
Hegde's meeting with Oscar gains importance because of the fact that Lok Sabha election is nearing. Hegde happens to be a strong aspirant for BJP ticket from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency. It is said that the party has not given him any concrete assurance about making him the party's candidate for the election. Moreover, he is involved with a tussle with current MP, Shobha Karandlaje, for the BJP ticket. Some sources also claim that Shobha has been assured of being fielded by the party again.
In the backdrop of these developments, the meeting between Oscar and Hegde has kicked up lot of interest. The meeting has lent some credence to the rumours about Hegde proposing to return to Congress fold. Rumour mills have churned out another story that Jayaprakash Hegde might be fielded as a candidate of Congress-JD(S) coalition.
As the election is approaching near, the election scene is getting hotter and discussions about possible candidates for this constituency are held everywhere. It is said that if the Congress and JD(S) succeed in working out seat sharing formula, Congress will leave aside Udupi-Chikkamagaluru seat for JD(S). If this happens, Jayaprakash Hegde will be fielded as a JD(S) candidate, some sources claim.
It is said that Hegde has assured JD(S) leaders that he would be ready to fight the election if Congress also supports his candidature.
It is learnt that so far, Hegde has not arrived at any concrete decision, nor has he decided to leave BJP.