Hassan: The Janata Dal Secular (JDS), which is keen on spreading its influence to neighbouring Kerala, is contesting five seats in the coming May 16 elections.
Having succeeded in getting four MLAs elected to the previous Kerala Assembly, it is hoping to improve its tally this time.
Former Prime Minister and JDS supremo, H D Deve Gowda , who is on a week-long campaign in Kerala, told the Deccan Chronicle over the phone that he expected all his party candidates to win The JDS has been in alliance with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala for about 30 years and under the seat sharing arrangement with it was given five seats to contest these polls
“ In the previous assembly, we had four MLAs. We put up five candidates and four won.. I could have asked for three more seats this time but settled for five owing to financial constraints,” Mr Gowda added. Expecting the LDF coming to power in Kerala this time, Mr Gowda accused the BJP of playing spoilsport and preventing it from doing so the last time. Hassan JDS spokesman, Hongere Raghu meanwhile claimed the party stood a good chance in Kerala.
“There was overwhelming support for the JDS in Vadakara, Chittur and other segments where Mr Gowda held public meetings," he said.
The party has fielded its Kerala unit president, Mathew T Thomas from Thiruvalla, Krishnan Kutty from Chittur C K Naanu from Vadakara, Benny V Moonnjely from Angamaly and Jameela Prakasham from Kovalam . While Mr Naanu is a former minister, Mr Thomas and Ms Jameela are former party legislators.
