Vexed BJP, Congress ticket aspirants make a beeline to JD(S)

No sooner did the Congress and the BJP release their lists of candidates than the aspirants who were denied tickets by the national parties began approaching the JD(S), hoping to contest the upcoming elections from the regional party.

Former BJP MLA Hemachandra Sagar, who was vying for a ticket from Chickpet, will be joining the JD(S) on Tuesday morning. Sagar, who is the chairman and director of Sagar Group, is upset with the BJP for fielding businessman Uday Garudachar from Chickpet.

Following initial talks with JD(S) MLC T A Sharavana, Sagar met JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Monday and announced his decision to join the regional party.

Former Congress legislator B Prasanna Kumar, too, is said to be joining the JD(S). He is upset with the Congress for fielding migrant Akhanda Srinivasmurthy from Pulakeshinagar, a constituency which he had been nurturing.

Speaking to DH, Kumar said that he is yet to make up his mind on joining the JD(S). “I have been in talks with the JD(S). Deve Gowda has assured to field me from Pulakeshinagar. I am still consulting my followers and supporters. I will soon make up my mind,” he said.

Kumar also said that despite being a Dalit, KPCC president G Parameshwara had “betrayed” him. He had, however, found support in senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

“The chief minister and KPCC president have not only let me down but also disrespected my father (former minister the late B Basavalingaiah),” Kumar said.

Vexed BJP MLA S Thippeswamy, who was denied ticket by the saffron party from Molakalmuru, has also reached out to the JD(S). The MLA, who has been protesting the BJP’s decision to field former minister B Sriramulu from the segment, has been in talks with the Congress too. He has even announced that he may contest as an independent.

Former mayor Puttaraju, who was hoping for the Congress ticket from Rajajinagar, and former MLA K Rajanna’s son Keshava Rajanna, who was vying for the ticket from Yelahanka, are also said to be in talks with the JD(S).

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Deve Gowda said many more leaders from the Congress and the BJP would be joining his party before April 24.