Signs of Trouble: JDS to contest 3 seats, announces HDK even as BJP’s claim on Kolar continues

JDS Karnataka President HD Kumaraswamy on Monday announced that the party will field candidates in three constituencies without waiting for a final word on Kolar from the BJP leadership in first signs of trouble between the alliance partners.

The former CM said the party will contest from Hassan, Mandya and Kolar. The BJP, however, holds Kolar seat and has not given up its claim on the seat. “We are asking for just 3-4 seats from the BJP. Should we have invested so much effort to settle for just two seats?,” he said, showing his disappointment with the way the BJP was treating the regional party.

BJP-backed intendent MP Sumalatha is still pursuing the BJP leadership with her claim on Mandya seat.


In the event of a triangular fight, the JDS would stand to gain. In Hassan and Mandya, the party can win independently. But BJP would stand to gain more from its association with the JDS in 18 seats. The regional party has its own vote share in 18 seats and even if 3-4% of them swing in favour of the BJP, it would improve the partner’s tally, Kumaraswamy said.

“”The BJP should use us properly. Otherwise, it will have to own up responsibility for any adverse outcome,” he added.