Kumaraswamy likely to contest Lok Sabha polls from Mandya

BENGALURU: Giving enough indication about him contesting the Lok Sabha polls from the Mandya constituency, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said an official announcement about the party's candidates from the three segments that it will be contesting in Karnataka will be made soon.

To save the party and to strengthen its roots, the people of Mandya want him to contest from there, the former chief minister said, as he called the district the “heart of JD(S)”. JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda too separately indicated about Kumaraswamy contesting from Mandya.

“At the core committee they have authorised me to make a final decision on candidates for Kolar and Mandya seats. In Mandya as to who will be the candidate, I have given enough indications. Before making the official announcement, I have called a meeting of former legislators from Mandya. After discussing with them, I will officially announce,” Kumaraswamy said.

The state JD(S) president said a final decision is also being made for the Kolar seat. “In the NDA alliance, three seats have been given to us (Kolar, Mandya and Hassan). In the next process to win the elections, I will soon be holding a meeting with BJP friends to resolve all issues and to have proper coordination,” he added.

The JD(S) joined the NDA last September and has forged an electoral alliance with the BJP in Karnataka.

Stating that regarding Kolar constituency, he has called a meeting of leaders from the district, Kumaraswamy said, the party has already shortlisted the names of sitting MLA Samruddhi Manjunath (Mulbagal) and former legislators — Mallesh Babu (Bangarpet) and Nisarga Narayanaswamy (Devanahalli).