Channapatna by-poll: C.P. Yogeshwar meets D.K. Shivakumar, may join Congress

Bengaluru:  In a significant development, C.P. Yogeshwar, who had been at the center of speculation, met with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday, October 23 giving rise to more speculation about Channapatna by-poll.

Yogeshwar is now expected to contest as the Congress candidate from Channapatna, setting up a direct and intense contest against the JD(S) candidate.

Yogeshwar visited D.K. Shivakumar’s residence in Sadashivanagar and is also expected to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah soon.

This move comes shortly after JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy had informed party members that BJP President J.P. Nadda had contacted Yogeshwar regarding the possibility of fielding him as the JD(S) candidate.

Earlier, there were speculations that Yogeshwar might contest as an independent candidate after the Samajwadi Party had issued him a B Form. This development follows Yogeshwar’s resignation from both his position as a member of the Legislative Council and his primary membership in the BJP, marking his shift to Congress.

The by-election in Channapatna is now expected to be a high-stakes battle if Yogeshwar squares off against the JD(S).