Bangalore : Samajawadi party MLA C P Yogeshwar formally joined the Congress in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC President G Parameshwara here on Tuesday.
Yogeshwar said he is joining Congress in the interest of the development of his constituency Channapatna.
He also vowed to work for the success of the party in the General Elections.
Parameshwara said “Yogeshwar’s entry into the party will help bolster the prospects of party candidates in Bangalore Rural, Ramanagaram, Kolar, Mandya, Mysore and Tumkur districts.”
Siddaramaiah said with the entry of Yogeshwar, the Congress’ hands have been strengthened in its fight against communal elements. Calling upon party workers to intensify their fight against the BJP, he said, “The BJP is trying to sow seeds of communal hatred in society for political gain.”
Siddaramaiah said the Congress had already demonstrated its strength by smashing the JD(S) bastion by bagging both the Mandya and the Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha seats in the byelections. “Our focus is on Mandya where former prime minister H D Deve Gowda is seeking reelection,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the Congress would win a minimum of 20 seats in the State in the election.
Energy Minister D K Shivakumar was also present on the occasion.