Former Karnataka deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi joined the Congress today, and BJP Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh claimed the former made a grave mistake that he will regret later.

Arun Singh said, “Even after losing the election, the BJP made him deputy CM and then MLC, and even after that, he is going to a party (Congress) with such quarrels where the leaders are divided into two groups. He made a tremendous error that he would regret later”.

Mr. Savadi announced his intention to join the Congress on Friday, informing the party’s state president DK Shivakumar.

He met with the state president of the Congress, Mr. Shivakumar, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Mr. Siddaramaiah, today at the latter’s residence in Bengaluru.

Mr. Savadi resigned as a Legislative Council member and from the BJP’s primary membership on April 12 after failing to secure a ticket to run for re-election in his Assembly constituency of Athani.

Also read: Senior BJP Leader Laxman Savadi Quits Party, Says – “I Have Made Up My Mind”

Former Chief Minister Siddramaiah said, “Savadi is joining the Congress. The BJP should not have handled him this way. His only requirement is that he be properly treated. It is 100% certain that he will receive a ticket to compete for the Athani seat. I hope he gets elected to the Assembly”.

Earlier this week, the incumbent BJP released its initial list of 189 candidates. The roster included 52 newcomers and eight women.

The BJP was the largest single party in the 2018 elections, obtaining 104 seats, with the Congress and then-ally JD(S) taking 80 and 37 seats, respectively.

On May 13, the ballots for the 224-member Assembly will be counted. The current Karnataka Legislative Assembly’s tenure will conclude on May 24.

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