Former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi Leaves BJP For Congress In Poll-Bound Karnataka

Denied a ticket by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest from the Athani seat in the upcoming Karnataka election, former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi joined the opposition Congress party and resigned from his seat in the Karnataka Legislative Council on Friday (14 April).

Savadi, a three-time member of legislative assembly (MLA) from Athani, had lost the 2018 election to Congress' Mahesh Kumathalli, who later joined the BJP. That BJP issued a ticket for Kumatahalli for the 10 May election has angered Savadi.

On Friday, Savadi met with top Congress leaders in Bengaluru, including Siddaramaiah, D K Shivakumar, and Randeep Surjewala, after announcing his departure from the BJP the day before.

He formally joined the Congress Friday evening in the presence of Shivakumar and Surjewala.

“Today is a historic day in Karnataka politics since senior leader Mr. Savadi is joining the Congress,” Shivakumar said.

Savadi has contributed to the state’s growth story, said Surjewala.

“The only demand I have placed is for a ticket in Athani...," Savadi said, adding, "Congress leaders have asked me to canvass in other districts, which I will do."

Savadi clarified that B S Yediyurappa, the former Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader, did not contact him.

As for Basavaraj Bommai, the Karnataka Chief Minister had this to say about Savadi's departure from the BJP: “He has found his political future in the Congress. The Congress does not have candidates in 60 seats, so they are taking some people into the party."