Rajya Sabha polls: Now, JD(S) to poach Congress men

Bengaluru: The Janata Dal (S), which is desperate to ensure the victory of its Rajya Sabha candidate, M.B. Farookh, has reportedly approached disgruntled Congress MLAs, including K.B. Koliwad and Dr A.B. Maalakareddy to get the 45 votes he needs for a victory.

Last week, five JD (S) MLAs reportedly pledged their support to the Congress candidate, sending the party leadership into a tizzy. However, MLAs Iqbal Ansari, M Balakrishna and Cheluvarayaswamy are said to have changed their minds and could now vote for Mr Farookh. MLAs  Zameer Ahmed Khan and Akhanda Srinivas could however, still go with the Congress, say party sources.

Rumours are doing the rounds about Mr Cheluvarayaswamy meeting BJP chief,  B.S. Yeddyurappa, but the MLA refused to confirm or  deny, saying he did not want to “talk politics” during  his  birthday celebration.

Meanwhile , Mr Kumaraswamy is said to have  briefed party supremo and his father, Deve Gowda about his meeting with former deputy chief minister, R Ashok of the BJP Tuesday night on the two parties supporting each  other in the council and RS polls.

While Mr  Deve Gowda has not given his approval yet for the give and take formula being worked out by son Mr Kumaraswamy, Mr Yeddyurappa too has still not okayed the BJP supporting the JD(S)’s second candidate in return for its support in the BBMP.