As the Karnataka Assembly elections near, the parties in fray have geared up their strategies. The BJP, which has launched a campaign seeking Energy Minister DK Shivakumar’s resignation from the post, has now accepted his close aide into the party.

On Sunday, the saffron party welcomed DK Shivakumar’s close aide, Varaprasad Reddy into its fold. Reddy joined the party in the presence of BJP state President BS Yeddyurappa and the party’s National General Secretary Muralidhar Rao.

However, the BJP, which has started a strong campaign to oust DK Shivakumar after the I-T raids conducted at his properties, seems to have no problem accepting into its fold Reddy, who was also raided by the police in 2015.

According to media reports, the police had raided Varaprasad Reddy’s residence in 2015 and had found Rs 1.15 crore in cash. This was the time when the BBMP elections were being conducted. Reddy had contested from the Uttarahalli ward in the previous BBMP elections and was defeated by his rival Hanumantaiah from the saffron party.

Defending the move, State BJP General Secretary CT Ravi told the media that the leader will come clean.

“Unlike Shivakumar, Reddy is not an elected public representative. If he had defaulted on income-tax, he is bound to pay the penalty and come clean to make himself eligible to contest polls or occupy public office.” CT Ravi added.

Varaprasad Reddy however said, "I have joined the BJP because I am impressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s work."