Congress leader and former Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa's daughter Rajanandini on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of party leader and former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa. Rajanandini reportedly switched sides with BJP after not getting a Congress ticket. "I was trying for the ticket but they (Congress) didn't give it to me. They could have informed us but they gave it to the person who has come from outside," she said, reported ANI.
Thimmappa, however, did not seem to agree with her daughter's decision and said that he "never expected that she will do like this" and suspected BJP's Hartalu Halappa "tactics" behind it.
"I heard this news now. I never expected that she (Dr Rajanandini) will do like this. It's unfortunate. There must be something behind this. It could be Hartalu Halappa's (BJP leader) tactics. I'll try to speak to her. I will always stand in favour of Congress, I'll work for Congress party," said the former Speaker.
With less than one month for the May 10 Karnataka polls, politicians disappointed over not getting a ticket are either changing sides with other parties or tendering resignation as alternatives for being able to contest polls.
ALSO READ: After PM Modi Calls Him 'Friend', CM Gehlot Says There Is No 'Enmity With BJP'
Former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi on Wednesday announced his decision to resign from the primary membership of the BJP, a day after he was denied a ticket by the ruling party, reported PTI. "I have certainly made a decision. I have decided to resign from the primary membership of the party," Savadi, a BJP MLC, said in a press conference.
He was a three-time MLA from the Athani assembly constituency but lost in the 2018 elections to Kumathalli who has been given the ticket this time also by the saffron party.