In a blow to JD(S) headed by Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, seven party rebel former MLAs joined the ruling congress in the presence of party president Rahul Gandhi. The rebel MLAs had resigned from Karnataka legislative assembly yesterday, a day after they cross-voted in favour of the congress candidates in the march 23 Rajya Sabha biennial election in the state. The votes cast by seven JDS rebel MLAs in the Rajya Sabha biennial election and also the support of independents had helped the congress win the third seat as a bonus.