Last Update: February 19, 2023, 14:18 IST
KPCC chief DK Shivakumar, who welcomed both the leaders, said more BJP workers have decided to join the Congress and are waiting for the current assembly session to get over. (Photo: News18)
HD Thammaiah, who has been working for BJP for the last 18 years, left the party after he was not given election ticket from Chikmagalur. Kiran Kumar submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Yeddyurappa for not getting proper recognition in the party.
Expressing displeasure over not being recognized and given election tickets despite serving the BJP for decades, HD Thammaiah and KS Kiran Kumar, along with 100 other party leaders, on Sunday joined the Congress ahead of the 2023 assembly polls.
HD Thammaiah, who has been working for the BJP for the last 18 years, has left the party after BJP national secretary and MLA CT Ravi was denied election ticket from Chikmagalur constituency.
“I am giving up my primary membership and other posts in the BJP and tendered my resignation. My supporters and well wishers have desire and opinion to join Congress, so I contacted Congress leaders at KPCC office on 19th February. I will join the Congress,” the leader said.
Meanwhile, another staunch supporter of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa has also decided to quit BJP over not getting proper recognition. Kiran Kumar on Sunday submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Yediyurappa after realizing that the BJP would not field him from the Chikkanayakanahalli constituency represented by Law Minister JC Madhuswamy.
Kiran Kumar, who is a Sadar Lingayat – from CM Bommai’s community – called on top Congress leaders to join the party.
KPCC chief DK Shivakumar, who welcomed both the leaders, said more BJP workers have decided to join the Congress and are waiting for the current assembly session to get over.
Shivakumar told CNN-News18, “There are many people who want to join the Congress but I don’t want to reveal their names. First and second line leaders from BJP are waiting to join Congress. Many of them are waiting for the assembly to get over. It is a movement against the Congress party. They want change in Karnataka, they want a government with good governance, they are fed up with corruption. Whatever was promised to them under Yeddyurappa’s leadership has not been fulfilled, so they want change and they want Karnataka’s image to be prosperous.”
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