Fuelling rumours on his joining politics ahead of the ensuing Assembly polls, former Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) Shankar Bidari has shown interest in joining the Congress party.

He is said to have met Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Dr. G. Parameshwar in Bangalore on Monday and held talks for an hour about organising a grand function to welcome Bidari into the party-fold. The chances of either AICC President Sonia Gandhi or Vice-President Rahul Gandhi participating in the function is also not ruled out, according to Congress sources.

In a casual chat with SOM yesterday at his residence in BTM Layout, Bangalore, Bidari said that after retirement from service, he had discussed with his family and close associates before deciding to join active politics.

"After my retirement, several organisations and associations invited me to head them. A few political parties too invited me to join them. After considering every option carefully, I decided to join the Congress party," he said.

When asked about the field of politics being polluted, Bidari countered as to which field was not polluted now and added that big and small drawbacks are to be found in all areas. "Compared to other parties, I found Congress to be better. There are many noble dignitaries in the party and Congress leaders are less corrupt. People of all communities have equal opportunities here," said Bidari, justifying his decision to join the Congress.

Regarding contesting elections, Bidari said that he would not request the party to facilitate for him to contest any election but would follow the orders of seniors in the party. "If they ask me to contest for the Assembly, I am prepared for it," he said and added that he had not decided on any particular constituency to contest in the polls. "It is not necessary to be in power to serve the society,” he opined.