Both the leaders met on Saturday and discussed the recent political developments for more than an hour. Speaking to press persons after the meeting Mr Bangarappa said that he had invited Mr Prakash to join the party.

“Both of us entered politics with a socialist background. I appealed to him to join the party. However, he told me that he would take a decision only after discussing with his supporters”, he said.

Mr Bangarappa said that many disgruntled JD(S) MLAs are in constant touch with him. “Many MLAs are approaching me. Right now the Congress has no popularity. The BJP and the JD(S) have earned bad name after their coalition. The best alternative is the SP. In the coming days our party will grow stronger,” he said.

Meeting

In another development on Saturday, former minister PGR Sindhia met senior JD(S) leader Rajya Sabha member M Rajshekhar Murthy. It is said that he expressed dissatisfaction over recent developments in Karnataka politics and also criticised JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda for his decision not to support BJP-led government. Sources said that Mr Sindhia appealed to Mr Murthy to join the BSP during the meeting.

However Mr Murthy sought time to reply to Sindhia’s appeal.

BJP woos

Senior leaders of the BJP are making efforts to woo disgruntled JD(S) leaders to the party. Former minister R Ashok said that many JD(S) MLAs are in his contact and have expressed their wish to join the party.
Former minister Shankar Naik formally joined the BJP on Saturday.