karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) leader V. Dhananjaya Kumar is all set to join the Janata Dal (Secular).
Mr. Kumar was one of the prominent leaders who stood by the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa in his time of crisis but could not return to the BJP along with him.
Upset over the treatment meted out to him by the BJP, Mr. Kumar met Janata Dal (Secular) national president H.D. Deve Gowda twice in the last five days. Mr. Kumar got a positive response from Mr. Gowda in Wednesday’s meeting and he may be fielded as the party candidate in the Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency. Mr. Kumar told The Hindu that the meeting with Mr. Gowda was cordial. He said Mr. Gowda had no reservations in admitting him to the party. He said the party was planning to field him from the Udupi-Chikmgalur constituency.
“In fact, I am not keen on contesting this election. My plan is to work for the party’s success. I will tour the Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency before taking a decision. A clear picture on me contesting in the election will emerge in the next four days,” he said.
JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said Mr. Kumar met Mr. Gowda to discuss the modalities of joining the party. “The parliamentary board of the party will take a final call on fielding him from Udupi-Chikmagalur,” he said. It is also said that many loyalists of Mr. Yeddyurappa who have not been admitted to the BJP are planning to join the JD(S).
