Karnataka independent MLA joins Congress, presents gold plated Maharishi Valmiki statue to Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday started his four-day tour of poll-bound Karnataka from Hosapete, the Karnataka-Hyderabad region of the state. 

At a public rally held in Hosapete, the Congress President welcomed independent MLA B Nagendra to the Congress party. 

B Nagendra represents Kudligi Assembly Constituency. Nagendra presented a 1.2 feet long statue of Maharishi Valmiki to Rahul Gandhi. 

The statue is said to be made of solid silver, is gold plated and estimated to cost around Rs 60 lakh, although Nagendra didn't divulge the cost of the statue.