Bangalore: Sorekoppa Bangarappa, over 80, former CM of Karnataka, a MP later and BJP to Congress hopper, now has joined JD-S in the presence of a beaming Deve Gowda, who is running out of luck but thinks with Bangarappa the fortunes of JD-S will change for the better.
H.D. Kumaraswamy, JD-S state unit Chief and MP, while inviting him as a member of the party, did not look very happy. There are reasons for his discomfort.
Bangarappa has been a turncoat in his political life, with liquor lobby backing him up. He became CM for 2 years before M. Veerappa Moily. He was angry with Ramakrishna Hegde on the latter becoming CM with Nijalingappa’s blessings and tore his (RK’S) shirt when RK offered him Dy CM post.
SB has established his own Party twice, under two names, but could not win elections HC was defeated twice, once for MLA seat from Sorab and later, when he contested against present CM’s son as MP.
He also had raptures in his family life and shifted his house from Madhavanagar to another posh locality. Later he made reconciliation with an estranged son. He has hobbled with Idiga Community in Bangalore and visited the west coast areas to canvass for Billava leaders.
When everybody thought he had retired, he has surprised Devegowda to join JD-S on Dec 15. we are told this is the ninth time he has changed his party card. He could be a new competitor to HDK for Cm’s post in Karnataka, but it is too late for him to a try second time to do so. HDK is younger and more ambitious at his age.