K Virupakshappa likely to join BJP ahead of LS polls

Koppal: Former MP K. Virupak­shappa is seriously considering joining BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections as he has distanced himself from the BSR Congress party after its debacle in the last assembly polls. If all goes as per plan, he is expected to join the BJP by the end of this month, sources revealed.

The migration of political leaders has begun with the Lok Sabha polls nearing. Virupakshappa had won on a Congress ticket from Sindhanur assembly segment in 1999 and had won the Koppal Lok Sabha seat in 2004.  However, he cut his ties with the Congress after he was denied the party ticket to contest again in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

After a political hiatus for a while, the former MP joined BSR Congress founded by former minister B. Sriramulu. Later, he turned his sights to the Congress again but this move ran into trouble as Congress leaders from both Koppal and Raichur districts opposed his re-entry into the party.

Even though he tried to join the JD(S), he dropped the move at the eleventh hour.  It is said that Viru­pakshappa has alre­ady held consultations wi­th the BJP high command on his induction. BJP leaders from Sindhanur too are eager to induct him into the party to strengthen its base in the region, sources explained.

Though Virupakshappa is an aspirant for the party ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP may find it difficult to accommodate him as district BJP president Karadi Sanganna and current Koppal MP Shivarama Gouda are aspirants for the party ticket. Virupakshappa will be given a suitable position if he plays a major role in the victory of the BJP candidate in the Lok Sabha polls, sources added.