AIPJD to merge with Congress in Sonia's presence on Sept 3

Bangalore, Aug 5 (UNI) The All India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) in the State will formally merge with the Congress in the presence of Congress President Sonia Gandhi at a public meeting here on September three, KPCC President Mallikarjuna Kharge informed today.

Speaking to newspersons after holding a meeting of party leaders, including former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here, he said that though the followers of Mr Siddaramaiah would join the Congress during the meeting, the JD(S) Legislators who have identified with AIPJD would not join due to tactical reasons.

Mr Kharge said that before the public meeting, party leaders, led by himself and former Chief Minister N Dharam Singh, would tour the entire State and create an awareness among the people about the ''misdeeds'' of the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government in the State.

He said the block level committees in the State have been reconstituted recently and the new office bearers at the taluk level were expected to attend the public meeting in large numbers along with party workers. The district wings of the party and State office-bearers would be reconstituted shortly.

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