JD(S) may field Sindhia in Basavakalyan, if Khuba defects to BJP

The JD(S) is learnt to have asked its national working president and Maratha leader P G R Sindhia to contest from Basavakalyan Assembly constituency in Bidar district.

This seat, at present, is held by its legislator Mallikarjun Khuba. However, Khuba has already stated that he will quit the JD(S) and join the BJP.

Sindhia, who had earlier decided not to contest the upcoming polls, is now said to be considering the proposition.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, who has come forward for a tie-up with the JD(S), is also said to have agreed to campaign for Sindhia in Basavakalyan.

Basavakalyan, like Bidar, Aurad, Bhalki and Humnabad Assembly segments, has a sizeable Maratha population, which the JD(S) plans to cash in on, by fielding Sindhia.

Moreover, Sindhia is said to be banking on his special connect with Bidar as he had served as its district incharge minister in the Ramakrishna Hegde government. When contacted, he said he was yet to make up his mind.

"My name is being floated by the party. The leaders are telling me that I am well-known in the district. But one should take into account the acceptability factor. My candidature might even go against the interest of the party. So, I don't want to impose myself. If the workers of the constituency and the party desire, definitely I cannot say no," he added.