R. Madan, who was serving as president of Tirthahalli taluk unit of Janata Dal (Secular), joined the BJP with his supporters here on Monday.
Mr. Madan, who had contested the Assembly election in 2013 from Tirthahalli segment as a candidate of JD(S), had secured more than 22,000 votes and had stood in fourth position. He was an aspirant for JD(S) ticket for Tirthahalli segment for the 2018 Assembly election also. Much to his disappointment, the JD(S) had offered the ticket to its district unit president R.M. Manjunatha Gowda.
Citing difference of opinion with Mr. Gowda, Mr. Madan had tendered his resignation from primary membership of JD(S) recently. Following this, B.Y. Raghavendra, BJP candidate for Shivamogga parliamentary seat, and Araga Jnanendra, Tirthahalli MLA, had requested him to join the party.