The last-minute scramble for candidates left the JD(S) with no suitable candidate for the Koppal Lok Sabha seat. The party has left the Dakshina Kannada constituency to the SDPI. Finally, it has fielded candidates in 26 of the 28 seats in the State.
The party is unofficially supporting the Congress in Koppal, as fielding a JD(S) nominee there may divide the votes of the minorities and help BJP candidate Karadi Sanganna.
The party has fielded R Ravindra Kumar, a sitting corporator from Mysore, in Bellary constituency. Kumar belongs to the Nayaka community, which has a sizeable vote share in the constituency.
Kumar is up against a formidable candidate, B Sriramalu of the BJP.
In Mysore, the party has fielded former Upa Lokayukta and retired High Court judge Justice Chandrashekaraiah. He had reportedly sought a ticket from the Mandya seat, but had to go by the party’s decision to field him from Mysore. The retired judge is a Vokkaliga by caste.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks