HDK to disgruntled: My doors are open

Bengaluru: After being at the receiving end for the last two years and watching the Congress and BJP poaching  prominent leaders of his party, State JD(S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy has decided to give it back to the two parties by wooing disgruntled leaders who have been denied MLA tickets.

The Congress list announced on Sunday night and the second list of the BJP announced on Monday, has created heartburn among many aspirants, who along with their supporters, have taken to the streets. The JD(S) is now planning to woo these leaders to their side. So far, the Congress has taken away eight JD(S) MLAs, including four prominent leaders- Mr N Cheluvarayaswamy, Mr Zameer Ahmed Khan, Mr Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda and Mr H.G. Balakrishna. Even the BJP has not lagged behind. Congress MLA Mr A.S. Patil Nadahalli, who was on the verge of joining JD(S) was hijacked by  BJP which also drew three prominent MLAs  Mallikarjun Khuba, Manappa Vajjal and Shivaraj Patil to its side. After the ticket lists were announced by the two parties, Mr Kumaraswamy openly told these upset leaders that the doors of the JD(S) were open for those who wanted to contest on its ticket. Sources said there has been some response to his appeal  and this would be confirmed by Tuesday evening.

Sources said BJP leader Hemachandra Sagar had held talks with JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and Mr Kumaraswamy. Mr Sagar, who was an aspirant for  Chikpet seat,  was denied  ticket by BJP but it is not clear if he is keen on joining the JD(S).