BENGALURU: Mr Kalale Keshavamurthy, who unsuccessfully contested Assembly polls in 2013 on a JD (S) ticket, is likely to join the ruling Congress and enter the fray against former revenue minister and BJP candidate, V Srinivasa Prasad, in the forthcoming Assembly bypoll in Nanjangud constituency.
Ever since Mr Prasad resigned, the ruling party was searching for a suitable candidate to take on the ex-minister. Initially, Congress leaders toyed with the idea of fielding Mr Sunil Bose, son of public works minister Dr H C Mahadevappa who had done some ground work to enter state politics. However, in the last minute, Dr Mahadevappa decided against his son's candidature fearing a loss to Mr Prasad, a popular Dalit leader in Mysuru region. The party also requested Chamarajanagar MP Dhruvanarayan to contest against Mr Prasad but he declined the offer. With no candidate stepping forward to take on Mr Prasad in his home turf, Congress leaders are likely to poach Mr Keshavamurthy, a local leader had worked with late former ministers, Mr D T Jayakumar and Mr M Mahadev.
Recently, CM Siddaramaiah during his two-day visit to Mysuru held consultations with prominent leaders of Nanjangud Assembly constituency who advised him to induct Mr Keshavamurthy into the Congress instead of trying fielding Mr Sunil, a novice in politics. Subsequently, Dr Mahadevappa and other leaders spoke to Mr Keshvamurthy and convinced him to enter the fray as Congress candidate against Mr Prasad, according to sources in the state unit of the party. Mr Keshavamurthy lost to Mr Prasad by over 1,000 votes in 2013 Assembly polls. Despite losing the election, he had been in constant touch with the electorate. He is likely to join the Congress next week, sources told DC.
