JD(S) leader Rajanna Koravi set to join BJP

Two-time municipal councillor and JD(S) leader Rajanna Koravi, who had contested unsuccessfully in opposition to former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar within the Assembly elections, on Friday introduced his determination to join the BJP, saying that there was a “suffocating atmosphere” within the JD(S). He mentioned he was leaving the get together with a heavy coronary heart.

Addressing presspersons together with the State president of JD(S) Farmers Youth Wing, Naganagouda V. Gadigeppagoudar, and others, Mr. Koravi, who has been related to the Janata Dal since his pupil days, mentioned leaving the get together with which he had spent 31 years was not a straightforward determination. “But I am forced to take this decision because of the behaviour of the State leaders, who are least bothered about the party leaders and workers from North Karnataka and are focussing only on the Old Mysore region,” he mentioned.

Mr. Rajanna mentioned that as a regional get together, the JD(S) had failed to develop throughout the State and had remained restricted to few districts. “Being a member of the Janata Parivar right from the days of my father Moorusavirappa, who too was elected twice to the municipal council, I have worked hard for building the party. But there has not been much positive response from the State leaders. I raised the issue seeking remedial measures, but there was no positive response. Even when our party was in power, the workers from the region were not recognised or rewarded for their selfless work. All these developments have pained me.”

Terming former Minister Basavaraj Horatti his “guru”, he mentioned a number of leaders, together with Mr. Horatti, had tried to persuade him to stay with the get together, however he was not ready to change his determination now. “I will be joining the BJP along with my team of leaders and workers in the presence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar and others on Saturday at a public function. Around 10,000 people are expected to participate,” he mentioned.

He mentioned he needed to be in a celebration the place he was allowed to work for the folks. On whether or not he could be allowed to work and be recognised in a celebration when there already a number of leaders ready to be rewarded, Mr. Rajanna mentioned he was going to the BJP with a optimistic mindset.

To a question, he mentioned his “guru” Mr. Horatti, who had stood with the get together with dedication, too had not been recognised and rewarded for his work and was even denied ministership below the coalition authorities. But he mentioned he was “too small a person” to touch upon Mr. Horatti’s subsequent political strikes. To one other question, he mentioned he had misplaced all hope of enchancment within the JD(S) because the State leaders had been focussing solely on Old Mysore area and were not bothered concerning the other areas.