Fewer campaigners, time constraints make JD(S) choosy

Party focusing only on wards where it feels it has a good chance of a win

Shortage of leaders and workers coupled with time constraints have forced the JD(S) to go for a strategised campaign in select wards where the party seems to have an edge over its rivals.

Former chief minister H D Kumaraswmay has confined himself to certain wards in 14 Assembly constituencies. Even his father H D Deve Gowda is conducting meetings and roadshows only in a few localities.

In contrast, both the Congress party and the BJP are canvassing extensively and have even roped in celebrities to boost their prospects. The JD(S) hasn’t deployed any well-known personalities.

Until Sunday, B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, the Chamarajpet MLA, was campaigning in many parts of the City. He is also focusing his energy on ensuring the victory of 29 Muslims fielded by the JD(S).

‘Hooch queen’
He is canvassing extensively in Chickpet, Shivajinagar and Hebbal Assembly constituencies. Besides, he also campaigned for the party’s candidates in Pulakeshinagar Assembly constituency, including for the ‘hooch queen’, Marimuthu, who is contesting from Sagayapuram ward.

But now, Khan too has restricted himself to his Assembly constituency where five of the seven candidates are Muslim. Maintaining his sway in the constituency is a matter of prestige for him.

On Tuesday, Kumaraswamy toured Mahalakshmi Layout, Byatarayanapura and Govindarajnagar while Khan canvassed for Arif Pasha, the contestant from Bapuji Nagar ward.

As far as Deve Gowda is concerned, he visited the KR Market ward seeking votes for Nazima Khanam on Monday. He is scheduled to campaign for Mushtari Begum in Azad Nagar ward on Wednesday.

Wards categorised
The JD(S) has categorised wards into ‘A, B and C’. Gowda, Kumaraswamy and Khan are touring ‘A’ and ‘B’ category of wards where the party feels its candidates have a good chance.

Kumaraswamy has already toured some important wards such as Hampinagar, Laggere, Hegganahalli, Rajagopalanagar, Rajajinagar, Kamakshipalya, Lakshmidevinagar, Jalahalli, Yelahanka, Malleswaram and Subramanyanagar. From Wednesday onwards, he is set to focus on meeting the party’s workers.