Udupi: Reacting to KPCC president D K Shivakumar’s remarks Pramod Madhwaraj said: “In the upcoming elections to the zilla panchayat and taluk panchayats, the Congress leaders will understand my significance. Congress party leaders are already behaving as if their party has won the 2023 state assembly election. They will repent soon.”

Madhwaraj said, “There is a system in BJP where local party workers are taken into confidence before leaders from other parties are given membership. I have already held discussions with BJP district unit leaders. A decision on my followers joining BJP will be taken soon. I will not force anybody to quit Congress and join BJP. If those quitting Congress and want to join BJP, it is to be discussed in advance. More people will join the BJP soon.”