JD(S) leader Sandesh Swamy to join BJP

Bengaluru: Upset over being sidelined by JD(S), the party leader Sandesh Swamy has chosen to join BJP. 

Swamy, who is the brother of JD(S) MLC Sandesh Nagaraj, was yearning for a ticket from Narasimharaja constituency in Mysuru. But the party chose to give the ticket to businessman Abdullah, prompting dissatisfaction between Swamy and his brother. 

Swamy, who faxed his resignation letter to party president H D Kumaraswamy from Mysuru on Thursday, disclosed to the media that the BJP has guaranteed him a ticket from Narasimharaja constituency. Nagaraj also revealed that he is upset with party partner and MLA Sa Ra Mahesh for influencing Kumaraswamy and effecting his brother’s candidature.

Swamy will join the BJP authoritatively within the sight of party’s national president Amit Shah in Mysuru on Friday. Sandesh Nagaraj’s son too will join the BJP alongside his uncle. 

Swamy, who is a former Mysuru Mayor, has additionally been chosen as a corporator thrice. He had challenged from Narasimharaja on a JD(S) ticket in 2013 and had lost to Congress competitor Tanveer Sait.