JOIN USThe JD(S) has been keenly following the developments in the Congress and the BJP vis-a-vis the aspirants for the Hebbal Assembly bypoll.
With too many aspirants vying for a ticket, especially in the Congress, the JD(S) is hopeful of being approached by a rebel candidate. There is speculation that the party had already been approached by BJP’s Katta Subramanya Naidu and Rahman Sharieff of the Congress. JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has, however, dismissed it as a rumour.
On Wednesday, Kumaraswamy went to the extent of saying that the party would be “wasting” money by fielding candidates in the bypolls. “The same money can be distributed among the kin of farmers who have committed suicide.”
Kumaraswamy, who met his father H D Deve Gowda, said he had broached the subject with the party supremo. His suggestion was, however, not considered as the party leaders and workers wanted the JD(S) to contest the byelections.
Congress strategy
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the Congress would field candidates who have the ability to win the upcoming byelections to three Assembly constituencies – Hebbal, Devadurga and Bidar.
Speaking to reporters, he said there were many ticket aspirants in the party for all the three constituencies. Asked about independent MLC, B A Suresh, seeking Congress ticket to contest from the Hebbal constituency, he said Suresh was a co-member of the Congress Legislature Party. But technically, he cannot join the party. So, there is nothing wrong in him seeking the party ticket, he said.
He, however, said the final decision on the candidate selection will be taken by the party high command.
BJP meeting
The BJP has convened its core committee meeting in Bengaluru on Thursday to decide on its Hebbal candidate. On Wednesday, the party’s city unit leaders Subba Narasimha and Muniraju met Katta Subramanya Naidu and Lalitha (wife of the late sitting MLA Jagadish Kumar) to elicit their opinion on the candidate for the constituency.