Bhatkal: In a major setback to congress, party senior leader and two-time MLA from Bhatkal-Honnavar constituency, JD Naik joined the BJP in the presence of party State president B.S. Yeddyurappa at a programme held at the party’s State headquarters in Bengaluru.

Naik said, "We were let down by the Congress" and added that he was joining BJP "wholeheartedly".

BJP State unit President B S Yeddyurappa welcomed him, saying it would help strengthen the party.

On the occasion, Former Karnataka chief minister late S Bangarappa's son Kumar Bangarappa, who recently quit the Congress also joined the BJP.