Laxman Savadi, a former deputy chief minister of Karnataka and a prominent member of the BJP, is scheduled to join the Congress on Friday, giving a severe blow to the saffron party just before the state Assembly elections are about to take place.
After being refused a ticket to run in the May 10 Assembly elections, Savadi declared his decision to resign from the BJP’s primary membership. On Friday, he met with LoP Siddaramaiah and state Congress president DK Shivakumar at the latter’s residence in Bengaluru and had discussions with both men.
According to PTI, Shivakumar, who was accompanied by Savadi and Siddaramaiah, informed reporters that “he has decided to join our (Congress) family of his own free will.” According to information, Savadi will join the Congress on Friday night.
Savadi, a BJP MLC, will formally join the Congress after resigning from the Upper House today in a meeting with Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, according to Shivakumar.
Former CM Siddramaiah commented on Savadi’s choice by saying, “The BJP shouldn’t have treated Savadi like this. His only demand is that he be given the right care. It is 100% certain that he will be issued a ticket to run for the Athani seat. I hope he is elected to the Assembly.
Savadi’s request was disregarded, and earlier this week the BJP gave existing MLA Mahesh Kumathalli the Athani seat in the Belagavi district. Savadi, a three-time MLA from Athani, was defeated by Kumathalli (then in the Congress) in the 2018 elections.
