Udupi : Former MLA U R Sabhapathi, as a part of campaign ceremony for Udupi-Chikmagalur bypoll joined Janata Dal (Secular) on March 4, Sunday.

JD(S) workers including JD(S) candidate for bypoll Bhojegowda, and party leader Madhu Bangarappa, Mahendra Kumar and Devi Prasad Shetty welcomed Sahapathi to the regional party with garland and shawl.

Speaking on the occasion Madhu Bangarappa said Sabhapathi was a strong supporter of his father Late Bangarappa. Now the dream of Bangarappa to have a progressive government and JD(S) will now commit to fulfill his dream.

He said that JD(S) has nominated Bhojegowda for Udupi-Chikmagalur pypoll to win and not to make any adjustments with BJP.

Sabhapathi said the State government does not have social justice or political values in its rule.  He also condemned the government’s silence during the attack on media persons at civil court premises in Bangalore.

Deviprasad Shetty, president of the district unit of JD (S) had announced the induction of Mr Sabhapathi into JD(S).