Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (SP)

Mysuru, May 10: Although state chief minister, Siddaramaiah, had recently asserted that former MP and disgruntled Congress veteran, H Vishwanath from here, will not leave Congress, indications are that he will. It is almost certain that Vishwanath Hunsur will step out of Congress and walk into JD(S).

In all likelihood, he will contest as JD(S) candidate from Hunsur constituency in the next year's assembly election. Vishwanath has considerable influence in this constituency and JD(S) too has foothold here. Therefore this constituency has been considered a safe bet for him.

Vishwanath, like Janardhana Poojary, has been critical of the way of functioning of the chief minister and he has repeatedly voiced his dissent publicly, and had been served with show cause notice for this behaviour.

On Tuesday, Vishwanath met All India Congress Committee general secretary, Venugopal, who is on visit of the state to elicit opinions of party leaders, and poured out his unhappiness with Siddaramaiah. He also convinced Venugopal that he is facing a situation in which leaving Congress happens to be the only option left for him.

Recently the tone and tenor of Siddaramaiah's response during his interaction with media persons here suggested that he is not bothered if Vishwanath decides to leave the party. JD(S) state president, H D Kumaraswamy, has convened a meet of party activists in the city on Wednesday. There is speculation that a final decision about Vishwanath's crossing over would be decided at this meet.