BENGALURU: The influx of leaders from Congress into the BJP continued with former Minister K Jayaprakash Hegde, former Hospete MLA Ratan Singh and Moodbidri Congress leader Meghanath Shetty joining the party on Wednesday.
Welcoming them into the party, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa said Hegde is an influential leader in coastal areas and would strengthen the party there. He added that a massive programme would be organised in Udupi on March 18 and many more would join the party then. Hegde, who said he had supported the Union government’s demonetisation move, stated that he was expelled a year earlier from the Congress simply for pointing out what was wrong.
Senior BJP leader R Ashoka expressed confidence that S M Krishna would join the party after March 15. He added that he had been in touch with Hegde for the last month and a half.
Former Congress leader Kumar Bangarappa and former Congress MLA J D Naik are expected to officially join the BJP on Thursday.