Mangalore: As earlier informed on Sunday by him to Cheering crowds in Karkala and Udupi as winner of Udupi-Chikamagalur by-poll for MP seat, Jayaprakash Hegde of Brahmavara, took the oath on Monday (March 26) as MP in the Lok Sabha given by the speaker Meira Kumar. Hegde took his oath of secrecy and office in Kannada in the name of God.

He met AICC Chairperson and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi at her home and accepted her congratulations on Monday, in the Company of Oscar Fernandes, state (Central) ministers, Madhusudan Mistry, Dr. G. Parameshwar, Rajya Sabha MP Rehman Khan(re elected), and many other leaders, who were brimming with happiness.

Hegde told pressmen that Sonia was delighted with his hard-earned success.

Dr. G. Parameshwar added that Sonia had asked all Congress leaders in state to unite and organise the party well in Karnataka, to bring back Congress rule.

State incharge Central leader M. Mistry clarified at this juncture that Dr GP will remain the KPCC Chief, thus putting an end to all gossip to the contrary.

The Congress was ready to face state elections any moment now, Mistry added. A decision on how to get about next elections, would be decided in near future, he indicated.