Karnataka Dalit leader and former Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy joined the BJP in the presence of former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa on Wednesday. Akhanda Srinivas previously served as the MLA of Pulakeshinagar, situated within the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency, where Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje is currently running for office.
On Akhanda joining the party, Union Minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje said, "Akhanda Srinivas Murthy was a Congress MLA. But after an incident no Congress leader supported him. I went to him. Today he joined the BJP party, this will increase our strength... BJP will win on all 28 seats in the state."
Welcoming the move, BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yediyurappa said, "...We stood with him (earlier), today he has joined our party, he has strengthened our party. He has very good support, lakhs of people are supporting R. Akhanda Srinivas Murthy..."
“The joining of Akhanda at this stage of the election has given great strength to the party. Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje will win from Bengaluru North Lok Sabha seat by 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh votes,” he stated.
Last year, he quit the Congress after he was denied a ticket to contest the Assembly elections. He joined the BSP and contested in the party ticket. However, he lost the polls.
Meanwhile, Karnataka is set to vote in Lok Sabha elections on two phases on April 26 and May 7.