CM Basavaraj Bommai 'saddened 'by Savadi's decision to join Congress; 'We shared close bond'

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said he was "sdened" by decision of former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savi to part ways with BJP and join Congress.

"...I'm feeling very s, we shared a close bond. Sometimes such political situations arise," Bommai said. "He might have found his political future in Congress. We will do our job in our party." Rebelling against BJP denying him ticket from Athani in Belagavi district, Savi on Wednesday anunced his decision to resign from primary membership of party.

Sitting MLA Mahesh Kumathalli, who was backed by BJP's Belagavi strongman and former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, was given ticket in Athani. Savi is a three-time MLA from Athani but lost in 2018 elections to Kumathalli (n in Congress).

Kumathalli was among group of 17 defectors, including Jarkiholi, who helped BJP bring down Congress-JD(S) coalition and form its government under leership of B S Yediyurappa in 2019.

Savi's decision to join Congress came after a meeting with Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar, Leer of Opposition in Assembly Siddaramaiah and Congress general secretary and party in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala here on Friday.

"He has agreed to become a member of our (Congress) family of his own volition", Shivakumar, who was flanked by Savi and Siddaramaiah, told reporters after meeting.