Upset with contradicting opinions emerging from the Congress over having a pre-poll understanding with the Janata Dal (Secular) for the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said that alliance will “largely depend on the clear stand of the Congress leaders.”
“There is no change in the stance of JD(S) on facing the Lok Sabha polls by having a pre-poll alliance with Congress. But, considering the contradictory opinions, everything hinges on the firm and united stand of Congress leaders,” he said. JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda on Monday announced that his party has no objections to declaring Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate.
In a meeting convened by State Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday, leaders from Hassan and Mandya expressed their reservations over leaving both the seats presently being represented by JD(S). They cautioned of long-term negative implications of giving up both the seats. However, Mr. Rao cited the high command’s decision on the issue.
Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka K.C. Venugopal has directed the party leaders against criticising the coalition government in public.
Meanwhile, sources said that the JD(S) is seeking 10 of the total 28 seats, including Mandya and Hassan. “There is a possibility of JD(S) agreeing for eight seats, but Congress is firm on giving up only five,” said a senior party leader.
It is said that the JD(S) is demanding Raichur, Tumakuru, Chickballapur, Bengaluru North, and Shivamogga, besides Mandya and Hassan, sources said.