BENGALURU: Ahead of the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls, Dr Rajanandini, daughter of veteran Congress leader and former Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. The induction of Rajanandini to the BJP took place in the presence of former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.
Speaking on the occasion, Yediyurappa said Kagodu Thimmappa is one of those rare socialist politicians the state has seen. “His daughter Dr Rajanandini has quit all her posts in Congress and has joined our party. Hailing from a backward class, she has been in the forefront of many social welfare activities in Shivamogga district. The BJP has been strengthened in Shivamogga district with her joining the party and we have decided to give her a position befitting her stature after our party comes back to power”, he said.
Along with Dr Rajanandini, international tennis player Theertha, former zilla panchayat member Ratnakar Vanagur, city municipal council member Byrappa Sagara, block Congress general secretary Ramesh joined the party on the occasion. More will be joining the party in a day or two, Yediyurappa said.
Speaking on the rebellion in the party after the first list was announced on Tuesday night, Yediyurappa said though there is some confusion in some of the Assembly segments, good candidates have been chosen by the party’s central election committee.
“The party will come back to power with full majority on its own strength. There is a wave in favour of the BJP across the state. A couple of leaders have expressed dissatisfaction though they have been made members of the Legislative Council and are talking of leaving the party, but none of this will impact the BJP. We will speak to the disgruntled leaders and convince them why they were left out. I am confident that Jagadish Shettar will be given the ticket to contest the upcoming election. The party leaders will start campaigning across the state in a day or two”, he added.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, state BJP president Nalinkumar Kateel, national general secretary C T Ravi were also present. Later, speaking to the media, Dr Rajanandini said, “I have been an office-bearer and I was trying for the ticket but the didn’t give it to me and instead chose a person who has come from outside”.