Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Oct 18: JD(S) leader Madhu Bangarappa, who has been maintaining a low profile of late, is all set to join the Congress.

News of the former MLA's imminent entry into Congress has been doing the rounds for the past six months. Now, MLC R Prasannakumar has confirmed the development and said that KPCC president D K Shivakumar has given the green signal for the move.

After he lost the Lok Sabha by-election from Shivamogga, Madhu Bangarappa had kept himself aloof from JD(S). Senior leader of Congress Kagodu Thimmappa had met Madhu several months ago and tried to woo him to the Congress party. But Madhu Bangarappa had said he was not ready.

As son of former chief minister S Bangarappa, Madhu had said that his surname was his big asset and he would let the party know when he quits, hinting that he would leave the JD (S). In addition, Madhu had also taunted that JD (S) was creating leaders but did not strive to retain them in the party. He had given this reaction when Ramesh Babu was about to leave the JD(S). Now Ramesh Babu is in the Congress party.

Now KPCC president D K Shivakumar has given the nod to Madhu Bangarappa joining Congress. MLC Prasanna Kumar informed that Shivakumar has said he would welcome anyone who agress with the ideology of the Congress party. In addition, Prasanna Kumar also said that Madhu will join the Congress soon, further strengthening the party.

When Ramesh Babu had left the JD(S) to join the Congress, former CM and senior leader of JD (S) Kumaraswamy had said, "I will not break my head on people who join and leave the party. I have spoken to both Ramesh Babu and Madhu several times. How many times more do they want me to convince them? They have an illusion that they will achieve something great by joining a large political party. Our party is looking after them well. If they want to leave, let them."