JD(S) hopes to make it big by fielding defectors in Karnataka

HUBBALLI: JD(S), which was earlier struggling to find candidates for many constituencies in North Karnataka and Kalyan Karnataka regions, is now being approached by those who are denied BJP/Congress tickets.
This exodus of sorts has started after the release of the first and second lists of BJP and Congress with rebel candidates (who do not want to fight the election as independents) pinning hopes on the secular party for a ticket.
The recent rebellion in the two major parties is helping JD(S) strengthen its roots in NK and KK regions, just like in Old Mysuru region. By opening its doors for disgruntled candidates of other parties, JD(S) is expecting winnable candidates for several constituencies of NK/ KK regions, so as to make it big in the assembly elections.
Claiming anonymity, a senior BJP functionary said the party brass failed to recognise the hard work of some candidates who have been loyal to the party for decades.
"We are also not happy with the way they have chosen some candidates. Some outsiders, who recently joined the party, were also given a ticket, leaving the deserving ones disappointed. Now, many such candidates are defecting to JD(S) for a ticket," he said.
JD(S) spokesperson Gururaj Hunasimarad told TOI: "We won six seats in NK/KK regions in the 2018 elections. We were earlier hoping to win 18-20 seats in these regions. There is mass exodus of rebels from BJP and Congress to our party, after the release of the first and second lists of Congress and BJP."
"We are receiving calls from such candidates from Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Haveri, and Gadag, offering to contest on JD(S) tickets. Most of them have won in their capacity, rather than piggybanking on a party. We are finalising candidates, hoping to win 35-40 seats easily, and give a tough fight to Congress and BJP," he said.
Sources said JD(S) leaders are said to be in touch with leaders who were denied tickets by national parties like Laxman Savadi. Their party chief H D Kumaraswamy and other seniors may hold rallies in the regions in the coming days.