Kannada director S. Narayan joins Congress

NT Correspondent

Noted Kannada actor and director S. Narayan and former president of Karnataka State Teachers’ Association Timmaiah Purle joined the Congress Party at the party office here on Wednesday.

The duo was welcomed by KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar who handed over the party flag to them. Speaking on the occasion, Shivakumar said Narayan needs no introduction since he is a multi-faceted talent and also a symbol of simplicity. He has worked in Karnataka Film Chamber for long and contributed a lot to the growth of the Kannada film industry.

Purle belongs to Shahpur taluk of Yadgir district and had served as president of Karnataka State PUC Teachers Association. He would have been MLC if he had joined the Congress Party a year ago. Purle was a Janata Dal (Secular) leader in north Karnataka.

The PCC President said many people have applied for party membership and they would be inducted in the coming days. State BJP President, Nalin Kumar Kateel has claimed that Congress MLAs were standing in a queue to join the BJP. He should not let them wait long and should induct them as soon as possible, quipped Shivakumar.

“I am not going to disclose the names of those who are in touch with me. Kateel is free to induct Congress leaders into the BJP. I am aware who are in talks with whom in Udupi and Dharwad districts but I will not reveal it now,” he said.

Shivakumar also referred to reports that the Congress has been destroyed after the debacle in the Assembly polls. The Congress had just two MLAs in the Goa Assembly in the 2017 elections which has gone up to 12. The party was unable to win more seats due to division of votes with AAP and TMC fielding its candidates in the Goa polls.