MYSURU, 23 OCT

Former minister CP Yogeeshwar rejoined Congress on Wednesday, marking his departure from BJP. His return is seen as a strategic move to strengthen Congress’s prospects in the upcoming Channapatna bypolls scheduled for next month.

Yogeeshwar, a prominent Vokkaliga leader, will contest the bypoll on a Congress ticket against a candidate from the JD(S), filling the vacancy left by HD Kumaraswamy, the Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, who previously held the seat. Yogeeshwar is set to file his nomination on Thursday.

His exit from BJP was precipitated by the party's decision to partner with the JD(S) for the Channapatna bypolls, which left him feeling marginalised.

Yogeeshwar’s rejoining of the Congress is expected to invigorate party workers in the Old Mysuru region. In the recent parliamentary elections across several constituencies, including Mysuru, Mandya, and Bengaluru Rural, Congress faced significant losses to NDA candidates.

Channapatna constituency, where Yogeshwar has a long political history, is predominantly Vokkaliga, with around 90,000 to 1,00,000 voters among a total of 2,40,000. Yogeshwar has represented this Assembly segment five times, although he faced defeat against JD(S) candidate Kumaraswamy thrice. He has also held various ministerial roles and is known for his contributions to lift irrigation projects and lake restoration. His political journey includes stints with the Samajwadi Party and as an independent candidate.

Yogeeshwar’s return is a boost for DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh in the Ramanagara and Bengaluru Rural. His "Ghar Wapsi" to Congress is likely to impact electoral dynamics across at least ten districts in Old Mysuru.

Yogeeshwar was instrumental in the previous Congress-JD(S) government's downfall, aiding in the formation of BJP government led by BS Yediyurappa. -Salar News