Mahima Patel, son of former Chief Minister late J H Patel, has returned to JD(S) after he was denied a Congress ticket.
Mahima, who was disappointed after he failed to get a ticket despite hectic lobbying, has gone to the extent of saying loyalty has no place in Congress and only people with money are considered worthy candidates.
Mahima, who won the Assembly election from Channagiri constituency, had even floated his own political party, Suvarna Yuga, after quitting the JD(S).
He had joined the Congress after his political outfit failed to get expected support and popularity.
When Mahima had demanded a ticket from Channagiri in the 2013 Assembly elections, he was assured that his name would be considered for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
However, the party decided to give the ticket to S S Mallikarjun.
Disappointed with the party’s decision, Mahima said he would take a decision to quit Congress after consulting with his well-wishers, followers and supporters.
To File Nomination
Papers by Tuesday?
On Thursday, when Mahima met JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy at the latter’s residence in Bangalore, the latter invited him back to the JD(S) with the offer of a ticket.
He wholeheartedly accepted the offer and is expected to file his nomination papers from Davangere constituency by Tuesday.
While this sudden turn of events came as a rude shock to the Congress, it has certainly made the JD(S) camp happy.
Hodigere Ramesh from Channagiri said Mahima’s comeback has certainly strengthened the party and provided the party workers with much-needed impetus as they now have a candidate who can taken on both the Congress and BJP.
The entry of Mahima, who belongs to Banajiga community which is a subsect of Lingayat community, is likely to make the election a triangular contest as all the three candidates from the major political parties are Lingayats.