Mysuru: Prominent Janata Dal (Secular) leader Kalale Krishnmurthy has decided to join the Congress party after prolonged hobnobbing with the JD(S).

Krishnamurthy has maintained a clean image throughout his political career and his decision to break ties with the JD(S) will come as big blow to the regional party.

It is believed that he will be shortly joining the Congress along with his supporters to take on another political heavy weight Srinivas Prasad of BJP, who will be contesting from Nanjangud Assembly segment soon.

Chief Minister Siddaramiah has finally succeeded in bringing Krishnamurthy into the party fold by offering him Nanjangudu ticket. He had entrusted district In Charge minister H C Mahadevappa to convince Kalale Krishnamurthy to join the Congress and had a round of personal discussion with the JDS leader earlier.

With this the stage is set for direct fight between the Congress and the BJP in the ensuing Nanjangud assembly reserve constituency by election. In the political high drama the JD(S) has lost its candidate and will have to find a new one before the elections.

While addressing his supporters at Yatri Bhavan in the town, Kalale turned emotional about submitting his resignation to the primary membership of JD(S) on February 7.