Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Jan 30: Kundapur MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty, an independent, will tender his resignation on Tuesday January 30. It is gathered that he is on his way to Ranebennur to meet Koliwad, speaker of the state Assembly, with whom he will have a meeting in the evening.

With this, curtain has finally fallen on the rumours that were making rounds about Halady's movements in Kundapur political circles. He clarified that he will join BJP once his resignation is formally accepted by the speaker. With the elections coming up, this may serve as a big morale booster to the BJP.

Secret meeting between Halady and Javdekar

It is learnt that Prakash Javdekar, central minister and leader of BJP had met Halady Srinivas Shetty at the latter's residence during his recent visit to Udupi. According to reliable sources both discussed the present political developments in Kundapur and Javdekar suggested Halady to resign by the end of January. Accordingly, the MLA is resigning from his post.

Did not resign earlier due to technical reasons

Any member of the Legislative Assembly has to wait for a minimum period of six months before changing the party. Otherwise his membership will be termed null and void. Due to this very reason, since two years, Halady Srinivas Shetty did not make his stand clear with regard to joining the BJP.

In November 2017, the MLA had clarified that he would join BJP in a few months at a press conference called in Kundapur. He subsequently demonstrated the strength of his hold and supporters in the BJP Parivartana rally by sitting in the gallery meant for spectators.

During the rally when people who are against Halady demonstrated their unhappiness during the speech of BJP president B S Yeddyurappa, clarification was given by Yeddyurappa that Halady would be the BJP candidate for the forthcoming Assembly elections and asked the protesters to leave the rally.

Opposition to Halady within BJP itself

There is opposition to the MLA in BJP itself. People who are identifying themselves as fundamental supporters of BJP are against the inclusion of MLA in the party once again. The anti-Halady faction is also posted on social media depicting that Halady has not done any development in the past 20 years being MLA of Kundapur.

Halady's next move

It is clear that Halady is going to join the BJP. According to the MLA himself, he is going to join the party in Bengaluru once the speaker accepts his resignation. He also told that he will give more information on this once his resignation is formally accepted by the speaker.