Chikkamagaluru: Thammaiah expresses desire for election ticket before joining Congress

Chikkamagaluru: Former President of Municipal Council H D Thammaiah his desire for a Congress ticket even before joining the party following his exit from the BJP.

Disgruntled over the Assembly election ticket, H D Thammaiah, a close confidant of BJP National General Secretary C T Ravi, had resigned from membership of the party. The exit of the Lingayat leader, who served the BJP for 18 years in Chikkamagaluru, is considered to be a major setback for C T Ravi.

On Friday, Thammaiah reportedly held a secret meeting at a private hotel in the city with his supporters about joining Congress. It is said that more than 500 Lingayat leaders and BJP workers have left the party to follow Thammaiah.

Thammaiah is expected to join the Congress party on February 19. He said that he has not put any preconditions for joining Congress. “This is the first time Congress is conducting a survey and giving tickets. I am ready to support whoever is given the ticket,” he said.