Belagavi: The JD(S), which has been working hard to strengthen its presence in north Karnataka, is now looking forward to several heavyweights from other parties joining it in the region.
Claiming that several leaders from north Karnataka were in regular touch with him, party state president H D Kumaraswamy told reporters in Belagavi on Thursday that the number of Congress and BJP leaders joining it could soon cross the double figure in the state.
According to sources, at least seven MLAs from Belagavi district could join the JDS before the next elections. The party is reportedly expecting MLAs Balachandra Jarkiholi, Umesh Katti and Satish Jarkiholi, and former MP, Ramesh Katti to join it in the near future.
While Mr Satish Jarkiholi has already met Mr Kumaraswamy in Raichur and is believed to have assured him of joining the party, the JDS leader reportedly expects the two Jarkiholi brothers and the Katti brothers, who had left the party in the past, to return to it along with a few other BJP MLAs, including Mr Jagadish Metgud and others, who have been sidelined by the saffron party.
Mr Balachandra and the Katti brothers had stayed away from the BJP core committee meeting in Belagavi held two days ago by BJP state unit president, B S Yeddyurappa, giving a clear indication about their disenchantment with it. In fact, Mr Balachandra has hardly attended any programme or meeting of the BJP in Belagavi district for the last year and is only waiting for the right time to move to the JDS, according to sources.
