Laxman Savadi, a former deputy chief minister of Karnataka, revealed on Friday that he has joined the Congress after deciding to leave the BJP after being denied a ticket to run in the Assembly elections on 10 May. His decision came after a meeting with Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah and Congress general secretary and party in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala.
“Our meeting with Savadi took place in a cordial manner. We are aware of his dignity and position. He has agreed to become a member of our (Congress) family of his own volition. He is coming with us after accepting the party’s ideology and leadership,” Shivakumar, who was flanked by Savadi and Siddaramaiah, told the Media.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said he was “saddened” by Savadi’s decision to part ways with the BJP and join the Congress. “…I’m feeling very sad, we shared a close bond. Sometimes such political situations arise,” Bommai said. “He might have found his political future in the Congress. We will do our job in our party.” Savadi said he had been loyal to the BJP and helped the party candidates win in other parts of the state as well but it did not live up to its promise of fielding him in the 2023 Assembly election from Athani. On his decision to join the Congress, Savadi, a three-time MLA from Athani in Belagavi district, said he had only demanded a ticket to contest the elections, besides the completion of some irrigation projects in his constituency which have been pending for many years- in the event of the Congress coming to power. Ignoring Savadi’s request, the BJP had earlier this week given the Athani ticket to sitting MLA Mahesh Kumathalli.
