JD (S) rebel group with M P Prakash joins Cong

Bangalore, Mar 8: Janata Dal (S) rebel leader and former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister M P Prakash along with 22 supporters today joined Congress party. Mr Prakash along with his supporters, including three former ministers, joined the party in the presence of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Mallikarjun Kharge at the party office, a party release said here. Party sources said the formal induction into the party-fold would be held at Hospet later this month.

Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi and General Secretary Rahul Gandhi were likely to take part in the function, they said. The former ministers who joined the party were Mr H S Mahadev Prasad, Mr Amare Gowda Bayyapur and Mr Sharanabasappa Darshanapur. Mr Prakash along with his supporters had rebelled against JD(S) leadership following difference of opinion in negotiating with the Congress for formation of a coalition government after the BJP had withdrawn its support last year.

Mr Kharge welcome the new comers into the party fold, the release said.

UNI