Upset with the Congress for not making efforts to effectively contain the rebellion by its local leaders, the JD(S) leadership is learnt to have taken its coalition partner to task.

Despite repeated interventions by both Congress and JD(S) leaders, local Congress leaders in Mandya, Hassan and Tumkur constituencies have not shown any sign of relenting. They are upset with the Congress leadership for conceding the above-mentioned seats to the JD(S).

KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao and Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan called upon Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Sunday to discuss the election strategies.

Rebellion in 3 seats

The JD(S) leaders, however, raised the issue of the rebellion in the three constituencies where the party has fielded its candidates.

While Congress leaders of Mandya are in no mood to campaign for JD(S) candidates Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Prajwal Revanna, respectively, in Tumkur, incumbent MP Muddahanumegowda has raised a banner of revolt by stating that he is not backing out of the race. Deve Gowda has decided to contest from Tumkur.

Posing hurdles

Speaking to reporters in Adichunchanagiri (Mandya district), Kumaraswamy expressed his ire against the Congress leaders. “They tried to create hurdles for my party candidates. Even if they try to backstab my candidates, we will not resort to such a thing. Nobody can disturb us,” he said.

Kumaraswamy has contended that the JD(S) workers have not created trouble for Congress candidates, even in constituencies where the regional party’s presence is strong.