Prominent Dalit leader and former Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) state president N Mahesh joined the BJP in Karnataka on Thursday. Mahesh was the sole MLA from the BSP in the state and served as minister for primary and secondary education in Congress-JD(S) coalition government. The elected representative from the Kollegal constituency in Chamarajnagar district is known as an intellectual leader from the Dalit community.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa welcomed Mahesh at the party headquarters. Bommai further added that Mahesh is a good friend who rose through struggles.
"His organisational skills are commendable. Before he became a legislator, he won the hearts of oppressed classes. He understood the 'sarvejana sukhino bhavantu' (let the entire world be happy) philosophy of BJP," he stated.
"Yediyurappa's son BY Vijayendra has been involved in strengthening the party in the Old Mysore region. If Mahesh and Vijayendra join hands, no one could defeat BJP there," he opined.
While holding the primary education portfolio in the HD Kumaraswamy government, Mahesh had considered denying permission to new private schools for three years. He further tried to cap the fee structure of private schools. He then explained that the decision was made on the insistence of former CM Yediyurappa. He further added that after communicating with BJP leaders over the past two years, he came to know that they are working for equality and that the BJP is not a terrorist organisation. His inclusion would strengthen the saffron party's base in Old Mysuru, where the party is presently struggling.