Bengaluru: Congress gave up Udupi to JD(S) after Jayaprakash refused to join it

Bengaluru: The Congress, which has given up the Udupi-Chikamagaluru constituency to the JD(S), reportedly took the decision after senior BJP leader and former MP, K. Jayaprakash Hegde, turned down its offer to field him from the constituency if he returned to it.

Sources close to Mr. Hegde said former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had approached him to join the party to take on sitting BJP MP, Shobha Karandlaje in the constituency, hoping their friendship would seal the deal, but he was unmoved

Veteran Congress leader, Oscar Fernandes too sent feelers through his emissaries to him, asking him to return to the party, but in vain, sources reveal. The party's interest in Mr Hegde stems from the fact that its Udupi unit feels he could take on the BJP, as he is influential in both Udupi and Chikamagaluru districts.

But when refusing the Congress offer, Mr. Hegde is reported to have recalled the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of its Udupi district leaders while he was in the party and the fact that he was denied a ticket to contest the Legislative Council elections from the local bodies.

Having joined the BJP a couple of years ago, he is now believed to be a strong contender for the party ticket from Udupi -Chikamagaluru this Lok Sabha poll.

When contacted, Mr. Hegde said he was ready to contest from the constituency if the party decided to field him, but he was also prepared to campaign for any other candidate it may choose.

“I have not been involved in any kind of campaigning against our MP, Shobha Karandlaje and have played no role in the 'Go back Shobhakka' campaign,” he asserted.