AIPJD to merge with Congress on Aug 20

Gulbarga, July 20 (UNI) The All India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) will merge with the Congress on August 20, coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Karnataka Chief Minister Devraj Urs, its leader B R Patil, MLA, informed today.

Addressing a press conference here, he said former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be joining the Congress in the presence of its President Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on July 22. All legislators supporting Mr Siddaramaiah would accompany him to the capital, he added.

He explained that though Mr Siddaramiah had resigned his Assembly seat, the other MLAs, who had won their seats on the JD (S) ticket, had decided to continue as legislators until the next Assembly elections.

Referring to BJP legislator G Janardhan Reddy reiterating his bribery allegation against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, he demanded his immediate resignation on moral grounds. Mr Reddy should be allowed to show documentary evidences to prove his charge, he added. Mr Reddy had alleged that Mr Kumaraswamy and his ministerial colleagues had received a bribe of Rs 150 crore from mine owners in Bellary district.

Mr Patil said political uncertainty prevailed in the state due to lack of co-ordination between the ruling coalition partners--JD (S) and the BJP.

UNI DP RG RKN1533