The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): In an announcement that underscores the strategic alliances shaping Karnataka’s political landscape ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, BJP national general secretary Radha Mohan Das Agarwal confirmed that the party’s ally, the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S), will contest from three constituencies: Mandya, Hassan, and Kolar. This decision reflects a cooperative effort between the two parties, with BJP workers pledged to support JD(S) candidates, and vice versa, emphasizing a united front in the electoral battle.
During a party event in Bengaluru, Agarwal detailed the collaborative strategy, revealing the BJP’s candidate list for 20 of the state’s 28 Lok Sabha seats, leaving the distribution of the remaining constituencies, including the contentious Mandya seat, yet to be disclosed. The sharing of seats, particularly Mandya, has been a complex negotiation process, influenced by local dynamics and the aspirations of independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, who has shown interest in recontesting from her current seat. Sumalatha’s decision to contest as an independent in 2019 led to a significant upset, marking her victory over JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy.
The JD(S)’s decision to nominate candidates, including the possible fielding of H D Kumaraswamy in Mandya, signifies a tactical move to reclaim influence in a region where the party has historically held sway, especially among the Vokkaliga community. Despite facing setbacks in the 2023 Assembly elections, where the JD(S) secured only one seat in Mandya district against the Congress’s six, the alliance with the BJP represents a recalibration of strategies aimed at bolstering their electoral prospects in the forthcoming polls.