Mysuru: Former Minister C.H. Vijayashankar, who is touted to soon cross over to the Congress from the BJP, could not be reached by BJP leaders on Tuesday.

MP Shobha Karandlaje, who arrived in the city last evening, was to meet Vijayashankar at a private hotel in the city in order to convince him to stay back in the party. However, he did not turn up and BJP leaders after waiting for sometime, reached Vijayashankar’s house in Vijayanagar. He was not available even in his house. However, the BJP leaders spoke to Vijayashankar’s wife before leaving.

Political circles are abuzz that Vijayashankar is likely to leave BJP to join the Congress soon.

City BJP President Dr. B.H. Manjunath, District President Kote M. Shivanna, Corporator Nandeesh Preetham, leaders N.V. Phaneesh, L. Nagendra, Advocate S. Arunkumar and others accompanied Shobha.