Karnataka: Politicians can't resist saffron draw

The migration season has set in early in Karnataka with several leaders of the ruling Congress and JD (S), including a minister, set to cross over to the BJP well ahead of next year's elections to the Legislative Assembly.

While former minister V. Srinivasa Prasad was the first to join the BJP on January 2, this list will grow with former minister and MP of Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency, K. Jayaprakash Hegde, former minister and late Chief Minister S. Bangarappa's son, Kumar Bangarappa, and former MLA J.D. Nayak and Parimala Nagappa are set to join the BJP in a couple of days.

Sources in BJP said minister for fisheries and ports,  Pramodh Madhwaraj, has sent word that he will join the BJP and contest Assembly elections in 2018 on its ticket.

Leaders of the state unit of BJP, however, have not taken a call with regard to the minister as the party's caste calculations could go awry in Udupi district. Mr Pramodh Madhwaraj belongs to Mogaveera community, just like former BJP MLA,  Lalaji Mendon, who has been contesting from  Kapu constituency.

Besides, some local leaders are averse to his entry into the party as his mother and former BJP MP Mrs, Manorama Madhwaraj, ditched the BJP and voted in favour of the civilian nuclear deal during the UPA-I  rule in 2008.

Former minister and MP, Ms Shobha Karandlaje, and associate member and Kundapura MLA,  Haladi Shrinivasa Shetty, however, are keen to induct Mr. Madhwaraj into BJP, sources added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hegde would join the BJP in Bengaluru on March 8. Former deputy chief minister R. Ashok, who played a key role in wooing Mr. Hegde, told Deccan Chronicle that Mr. Hegde would join the BJP without any riders but the party would use his services and reward him. "Since he is the most respected leader in undivided coastal district, it is a honour for us to invite him to join the BJP", added Mr. Ashok.

Mr. Hegde told Deccan Chronicle: "It is inevitable for me to take a decision due to pressure from my supporters. I have not decided about my future, but I am interested to continue in national politics instead of returning to state politics."

Sources said the party leaders seem keen to field Mr. Hegde from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 elections as he has represented the constituency after winning a Lok Sabha bypoll. The leaders plan to field  Kumar Bangarappa, who quit the Congress on Friday, in the event of a bypoll in Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency.

DR G wants to stick to his KPCC post, meets Kharge
After losing the battle to secure the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, KPCC president Dr G. parameshwar on Friday met Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, M. Mallikarjun Kharge fuelling speculation in political circles that he was lobbying for his continuation as the PCC president till Assembly polls next year.

Speaking to reporters after his  hour long meeting with Mr Kharge in Bengaluru,  Dr Parameshwar said, "I have been a loyal soldier of this party. I will abide by the party high command's decision and whatever they  ask me to do. It is upto the high command to decide whether  to appoint me PCC president. But, prior to taking a final decision, the high command will surely consult Mr Kharge. He is our central leader."

He added in the same breath that there are leaders who want him to continue and there are others who want him to give up the post as he has completed two terms as  PCC president, but all these views are personal. "These are not my views but theirs. As far as I am concerned, I will abide by what the party high command says," he reiterated.

Trying to project his meeting with Mr Kharge as "purely professional" as  the latter wanted to discuss issues related to Kalburgi  revenue division, Dr Parameshwar said, "I met him today as Home Minister to discuss  developmental issues as he had suggested a few schemes for police personnel."

On his part, Mr Kharge retorted that he was not aware of any move to change the incumbent PCC president. "I am not aware of this. I do not answer  hypothetical questions on this subject," he snapped.