Mandya: Janata Dal (Secular) has lured local political heavyweight from the region Ravindra Srikantiah to counter party rebel and sitting legislator Bandi Siddegowda and to douse the growing influence of Bharatiya Janata Party in the region after former chief minister S M Krishna’s entry.
Mandya region will witness a new chapter in politics, said a beaming JDS State President H D Kumaraswamy after Ravindra Srikantaiah consented to join the party during a massive party convention during next month. The move to rope in Ravindra gains lot of political significance as the party is trying to regain foothold in the region after sitting JDS legislator voted against the party nominee in the upperhouse elections.
Ravindra Srikantaiah, considered to be a staunch supporter of former chief minister S M Krishna, who was expected to join BJP has changed directions by opting for JDS and this has caused huge surprise in political circles.
After giving up the KPCC post, Ravindra Srikantaiah had remained neutral despite his political mentor S M Krishna joining BJP.
JDS has offered assembly ticket to Ravindra Srikantaiah to contest from Srirangapatna, it is gathered.