Udupi: Former minister and BJP leader K. Jayaprakash Hegde officially rejoined the Congress on Tuesday at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office in Bengaluru. Sources indicate that Hegde is a leading contender for the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Expressing gratitude for the support received throughout his political journey, Hegde emphasized his commitment to coastal development and serving the people.

Hegde, a seasoned politician, previously represented the Brahmavar constituency as a Janata Dal candidate in 1994 and as an independent MLA in 1999 and 2004. He served as the minister of ports and fisheries in the Janata Dal government and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Udupi district.

Despite the Brahmavar constituency being dissolved after delimitation, Hegde continued his political journey. He joined the Congress party and contested from Kundapur in the 2008 Assembly elections but faced defeat. However, in the 2012 by-election, he secured the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru parliamentary seat from the BJP.

Subsequently, the BJP reclaimed the seat in the 2014 elections. Hegde briefly joined the BJP in 2017 and served as the chairman of the state backward class commission, submitting the caste census report to the state government.

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