HDK against tie-up with Congress

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwara on Wednesday said there was no proposal before the party on having a tie-up with the JD(S) for the upcoming elections to Legislative Council.

“As far as I know, so far there is no proposal to have a tie-up with the JD(S). I cannot react to any speculation,” he said replying to reporters who sought to know about the possibility of both parties having an alliance.

Asked why the Congress is delaying finalising names of candidates, Parameshwara said there is still a lot of time to announce the candidates. Delaying the announcement is part of the party's strategy, he claimed. But on its part, the JD (S) is hoping for a truck with the Congress to face the MLC polls.

However, JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy said he was against an alliance with Congress. “I will stay away from the electioneering, in case there is a tie-up. The JD(S) will become a laughing stock, if we tie up with the Congress.” he said.

He also said his father has 50 years of experience in politics, and he would leave it to him to handle. “So far he has told me nothing, but he must have given MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan the assignment to reach out to Congress,” he said.  Party supremo H D Deve Gowda said Ahmed Khan met Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Monday. Accordingly, Kumaraswamy and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should hold parleys.

The JD (S), it is said, is willing to let go of Bengaluru Rural seat to the Congress, if it is allowed to contest from Kolar. While the sitting JD(S) MLC E Krishnappa wants to contest from Bengaluru Rural, Congress is keen to field Minister D K Shivakumar’s nephew S Ravi from here.

The JD (S) is learnt to have decided to field sitting MLCs Sandesh Nagaraj and Ramakirshna from Mysuru and Mandya respectively. Spokesperson Ramesh Babu is one of the strong contenders for Hassan. For Tumakuru, there are three aspirants - sitting MLC M R Hulinayakar; Venkatesh (Kumaraswamy’s aide); and Kantha, son of late leader ‘Beml’ Krishnappa. Party worker Manohar might contest from Kolar.