JD(S) to go it alone in byelections in Karnataka

Putting an end to all speculation about a possible alliance with the Congress for the byelections in the State, JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and his son and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy officially announced that the party would go it alone in the October 21 bypolls to 15 constituencies.

Addressing presspersons here soon after the bypolls were announced on Saturday, Mr. Gowda said Mr. Kumaraswamy suffered a lot when the JD(S) was in alliance with the Congress. “He will not repeat that mistake,” he said. Meanwhile, in Mysuru, Mr. Kumaraswamy declared that the party would contest in all 15 constituencies.

“We have been holding meetings with party workers in all the districts for the past three months. And it is the unanimous opinion of party workers that we should not get into an alliance with the Congress again. We respect the workers’ opinion. Tomorrow, I have convened a meeting of leaders and we will discuss possible candidates for the bypolls,” he said.