Suresh balances by-poll possibilities, expectations

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: Former Congress MP DK Suresh on Tuesday said that he was willing to contest the Channapatna by-election but balanced the declaration with the statement that he would welcome BJP rebel CP Yogeshwar to the party fold. Suresh said that as a party worker he would honour the party high command’s wishes if they asked him to contest the by-poll. He added that going by the information he had, Yogeshwar planned on contesting independently but said that “anyone” was welcome to the party were they to agree to Congress ideology. “I will convey my views freely to party seniors.

I’ll take a call after their decision is made clear. I have to obey the decisions of the party as must our other leaders,” Suresh told mediapersons. “It is said that he will contest as an independent and is holding a meeting in Channapatna on this issue today. Apart from this, I don’t know if he will be joining the Congress,” he added. Suresh also pointed out that the Congress had welcomed leaders from the BJP and JD(S) into their fold in the past. “Those who agree with the party ideology are welcome. I won’t single out Yogeshwar or anyone else,” the former MP said.