For the JD(S)-Congress coalition, ensuring better coordination between leaders of both parties in Tirthahalli and Bhadravati during the Lok Sabha election has proved to be a major challenge.

During the Assembly election held in 2018, there was a bitter verbal duel between Kimmane Rathnakar, former Minister who had contested from Tirthahalli segment as Congress candidate, and R.M. Manjunatha Gowda, who was in the fray as a JD(S) candidate.

In Bhadravati too, there was an intense electoral battle between B.K. Sangameshwar of Congress and M.J. Appaji of JD(S). The camaraderie between the cadres of both the parties was missing during the campaigning in Tirthahalli and Bhadravathi for byelection for Shivamogga parliamentary seat held recently.

Mr. Rathnakar told presspersons in Tirthahalli recently that the Congress and JD(S) have joined hands to keep communal forces at bay from power. He said that he and his followers in Tirthahalli would strive hard for the victory of Madhu Bangarappa, the coalition candidate for Lok Sabha election. He clarified that he has respect for the top leaders of JD(S) but would avoid sharing the dais with Mr. Gowda during the campaigning.

In Bhadravati, Mr. Sangameshwar and Mr. Appaji had campaigned separately for the byelection. For the Lok Sabha election also, the chances of both the leaders working together seem less.

H.M. Chandrashekharappa, former MLA and Congress leader who has a strong support base in Shivamogga Assembly seat, had expressed his displeasure against ceding the Shivamogga parliamentary seat to JD(S). Along with reaching the voters, Mr. Bangarappa also has the uphill task of ensuring better coordination between the leaders of both the parties.

Mr. Bangarappa has told The Hindu that owing to the full support extended by the Congress leaders during the byelection, he could offer a tough fight to the BJP. The minor differences prevailing among the leaders of Congress and JD(S) would be ironed out through talks, he added.