Some may quit Cong to join BJP, admits KPCC chief

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G Parameshwara on Monday admitted that some leaders from the Congress may join the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections next year.

“But it won’t be a big number,” Parameshwara told reporters here. “At least seven legislators from the JD(S) are ready to join the Congress. Some BJP MLAs, too, are in touch with us,” he added.

The party is considering fielding leaders coming from other parties in those constituencies where winnability of the Congress candidates is low, he said. “In the coming days, we will discuss welcoming others to the party after assessing ground realities,” the Congress leader said.

Parameshwara held a meeting with party leaders from Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Shivamogga, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga and Kodagu districts ahead of AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi’s visit next month. “Some have urged that Rahul should visit religious mutts in the region. This will be conveyed to him,” he said.