Janata Dal (Secular) State president H D Kumaraswamy, on Monday, said the party would contest independently in all the 30 districts of the State in the upcoming elections to Taluk and Zilla Panchayats.

Addressing media persons, here, Kumaraswamy said, “The regional party will not join hands with any national party – Congress or Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – in any election. The party will contest on its own capacity and people have faith in the regional party.”

“The JD(S) has been preparing well in advance for the ZP and TP elections. The party leaders have been holding meetings with local leaders to discuss the issues since five days.

JD(S) Supremo H D Deve Gowda has visited Hyderabad-Karnataka region, while I am holding party workers’ meet in other parts of the State. On Sunday, I chaired a party meeting in Kempaiahanahundi in Varuna Assembly constituency,” he said.

“We will get a majority in 18 ZPs and will win 30 seats in Mysuru district,” he said, and added that this time due to the apathy of the State government towards development works, the JD(S) had good opportunities to gain power. Congress leaders, including the chief minister, have no confidence of fighting against the JD(S) and are trying to create misunderstanding between JD(S) leaders and workers. The BJP sowed the seeds of corruption and the Congress is nurturing it, the former chief minister said.

Kumaraswamy alleged that the Congress was trying to postpone the elections as it had failed to pursue development activities since it came to power.