JD(S) leaders had announced former minister Raja Amareshwar Naik as their candidate for the Raichur Lok Sabha constituency. But after the announcement he refused to contest and much to the embarrassment to the party, has decided to join the Congress in a few days.
When the district leaders contacted him, Amareshwar Naik reportedly told them that he would agree to be the party candidate only if the state leaders of the party assure him of party funds.
He said that he cannot afford to bear the expenses of the election. As there was no clear signal from the party leaders on money matters, he convened a meeting of his followers on Sunday and decided not to contest the elections.
When district JD(S) president Mahantesh Patil met him on Sunday and inquired if Amareshwar Naik was ready file nomination papers on Monday, he reportedly said he was not clear if the party would provide funds for the elections.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders here decided to take advantage of the situation. KPCC general secretary N S Boseraju, district Congress president Vasantkumar, former MLA Papareddy had two rounds of discussions with Amareshwar Naik and persuaded him to join the Congress.
Earlier, Naik was in Congress and was a minister in the S M Krishna’s council of ministers. Later, he had joined BJP and got ticket for the Raichur parliamentary seat.
But even without the knowledge of B S Yaddyurappa he had handed over the party B form to Phakkirappa.