Cong-JD(S) tussle continues in run-up to RS, council polls

 With speculations that JD(S) is not keen on supporting sitting MP Hariprasad, the Congress high command would find out whether JD(S) president Deve Gowda and his son Kumaraswamy were willing to support Ramesh, according to sources.

The MP from Andhra Pradesh who skipped the United States tour led by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna because of the elections, is reportedly finding it difficult to get the acceptance of party MLAs in the state.

Focus of discussions

This may form the focus of discussions between Kumaraswamy and AICC’s Karnataka incharge Ghulam Nabi Azad here on Tuesday.

Responding to queries, Azad told reporters here on Monday: “We (both parties) have had preliminary discussions. The talks will continue. Our second candidate has filed nomination for Council. If it’s necessary, we will withdraw our second candidate. The JD(S) has not opposed the candidature of Hariprasad”.

The JD(S) is said to be opposing Hariprasad as, according to its leaders, he had once spoken out against party chief Gowda.

There is speculation that the regional party is keen to support real estate businessman and Congress party’s Kupendra Reddy for the Rajya Sabha.

However, Congress sources wonder whether the high command was willing to field a candidate who was defeated in Assembly elections just a year ago (Reddy had tasted defeat from Bommanahalli constituency in Bangalore district).

Sources said the Congress high command was not keen to support the views of Council Opposition Leader Motamma who is known to have sent a fax to the party high command that the party would lose the post if it supported JD(S) in Council elections.

(The talks between the two parties had focused on JD(S) support to RS candidate of Congress party in return for the latter’s support to the regional party in the Council.)
KPCC members Mohan Kondajji and Ratnaprabha, among others too had written against extending support to the JD(S) in the Council elections.

Congress sources said the party would finalise its stand only on the evening of June 2, a day before the last date for withdrawal of candidature.