Former BJP minister CP Yogeshwara joined the Congress today after meeting with key Congress leaders, including CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
NEW DELHI: Former minister and BJP leader
CP Yogeshwara
joined the Congress party on Thursday, a day after reaffirming his commitment to the BJP, ahead of the crucial Channapatna assembly bypoll.
Yogeshwara met chief minister Siddaramaiah at his Cauvery residence in Bengaluru today, accompanied by deputy CM DK Shivakumar and former MP DK Suresh. The meeting included other key leaders, including Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan and MLA Kadalur Uday Gowda.
Earlier in the day, Yogeshwara held a separate discussion with deputy CM Shivakumar, signaling potential shifts in party allegiances.
Just a day before, the JD(S) extended an offer to Yogeshwara for its ticket in the upcoming bypolls. However, Yogeshwara, a five-time MLA from Channapatna, declined, insisting, "I will contest on a BJP ticket, not JD(S.)." His longstanding association with the BJP seemed secure until recent developments.
JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy claimed that BJP president JP Nadda suggested Yogeshwara resign from the BJP to join JD(S.), offering his candidacy as a bargaining chip.
Meanwhile, Congress reportedly sought to entice him into their fold, with sources indicating that Yogeshwara might leverage these discussions for better positioning.
As tensions rose, Kumaraswamy reached out to BJP leaders Nadda and Union minister Pralhad Joshi, urging them to persuade Yogeshwara to run as a JD(S.) candidate.
Yogeshwar is likely to be pitted against JDS-BJP probable Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of former CM HD Kumaraswamy.
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