Rebel Congress MLA, who was declared JD(S) candidate for assembly polls, joins BJP

Bengaluru, Mar 22: In an interesting development in Karnataka politics, A S Patil Nadahalli, a rebel Congress MLA from Devarahippargi, who had found place in the list of Janata Dal (Secular) candidates for Karnataka Assembly polls 2018, has embraced Baratiya Janata Party.

The three time MLA from Devarahippargi in Vijayapura district, Nadahalli admitted that the prime reason for dissociating himself from JD(S) was that the regional party did not consider his wife, Mahadevi, for an assembly ticket. “When father and son, younger and older brothers can contest from JD(S), why cannot my wife and me both contest?” questioned Nadahalli.

The rebel Congress MLA, who was dismissed from the ruling party for “anti-party” activities by publicly joining and pledging his loyalty to JD(S) till about a month ago, admitted that he had vacated the seat from where he had won thrice for the JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy to contest.

Nadahalli’s name had figured on the first list of candidates announced by the JD(S) for the Assembly elections. He was supposed to contest on the JD(S) ticket from Muddebihal constituency.

However, on Wednesday he crossed the floors again and joined the BJP in the presence of its State president B S Yeddyurappa in Bengaluru. The former MLA for Madhugiri Ganga Hanumaiah too joined the BJP on the occasion.

According to sources, the BJP is likely to field him as its candidate. Nadahalli had hit the headlines after he took on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as a ruling party member.

Nadahalli, however, said he has not been promised any tickets for him and his wife by the BJP. “I have joined BJP with an open mind and there has been no assurances from the party with regard to assembly tickets to me and my wife. I will work as per the wishes of the party leadership,” he said.