Bengaluru: It is time to parade Aaya Rams and Gaya Rams! With elections to BBMP round the corner, the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP inducted local leaders and workers of other parties into their fold.
At the BJP office in Malleshwaram, Kannada cine artiste ‘Bullet’Prakash, former JD (S) leader Vasudeva Murthy, Muniraju and Manjunath and Congress leader Chandru joined the party. They had earlier called the dedicated line set up by the party during its membership drive. Former deputy CM R. Ashok and former minister Raju Gowda handed over the party’s flag to the new entrants and welcomed them.
Mr Ashok attacked the Congress and charged that its leaders were running away from the battle field as they were afraid of the elections. “They have not done anything (for Bengaluru). The CM announced thousands of crores of rupees, but nothing has changed. The present government has y failed to fulfill its promise,” he added.
At KPCC office, Mr Thimma Nanjaiah, who unsuccessfully contested the Assembly polls from Rajarajeshwarinagar on JD (S) ticket, joined the party. Ministers Ramalinga Reddy and S R Patil, former Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar, and former Chairman of the Legislative Council B.L. Shankar, were on hand to welcome them. Interestingly, Mr Ramesh Kumar said the political culture in all parties including Congress had degenerated, and people switched parties to make money.
He advised those keen to join politics to get involved in social service besides nurturing political ambitions. "The workers and leaders should also get involved in fighting corruption," he said.
Meanwhile, the Congress completed the first round of brain storming with top leaders. On Tuesday, KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar had a consultative meeting with ministers from the city over preparations for BBMP polls and followed up with another with middle level leaders. The BJP, has scheduled an in-camera office bearers’ meet on Thursday.
