Karnataka assembly elections: Congress, BJP infighting brings cheer to JD(S)

BENGALURU: Rebellion in Congress and BJP ranks has brought cheers to the JD(S) camp, which is hoping those denied tickets by the two national parties will knock on its doors and it will get a handful of formidable candidates to contest outside its stronghold of the Old Mysuru region.
JD(S) had announced a first list of 93 candidates mainly for constituencies in the Old Mysuru region. It is facing a shortage of “winnable” candidates in over 100 seats in coastal, Malnad, Kittur, and Kalyan Karnataka regions.
The regional outfit has been waiting for BJP and Congress to announce candidates for all 224 seats before finalising its nominees for the remaining constituencies.
Some of the “rejected” politicians have already switched over. Former Congress MLC Raghu Achar, who was eyeing the Chitradurga seat, joined JD(S) after he was overlooked. He is expected to file his nomination on April 17.
“There are around 30 functionaries from Congress and BJP who are in touch with us. We will soon reveal their names,” said JD(S) MLC TA Saravana.