The Hindu : Karnataka News : Janata Dal(S) in tatters in Chamarajanagar district

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Karnataka

Janata Dal(S) in tatters in Chamarajanagar district

Muralidhara Khajane

Party is now trying to build its base from the scratch

The party had four MLAS from the district in he previous Assembly
Three MLAs have left the party after M.P. Prakash’s exit

MYSORE: The Janata Dal (Secular), which had a strong base in Chamarajanagar district with four MLAs on its side in the previous Assembly, is now struggling to retain its position in the district. H.S. Mahadeva Prasad, Parimala Nagappa and A.R. Krishnamurthy were with the Janata Dal (Secular), while S. Balaraj, who won from Kollegal constituency as an independent candidate, identified himself with the party after the last elections.

Except Mr. Krishnamurthy, the rest have followed senior leader M.P. Prakash, when he quit the Janata Dal (Secular).

While Mahadeva Prasad joined the Congress along with Mr. Prakash, Ms. Nagappa joined the Bahujan Samaj Party. Attempts of Mr. Balaraj to join Bharatiya Janata Party failed and he did not join the Congress, as he knows pretty well that it is difficult for him to get ticket from Kollegal.

In view of these developments, the Janata Dal (Secular) is now trying to build the party from the scratch by throwing its weight behind A.R. Krishnamurthy, who is old war horse in the Janata Dal (Secular) stable.

According to sources in the party, Mr. Krishnamurthy is facing opposition from Chamarajanagar MP Shivanna, as the former Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy eased him out of the post of district in-charge of the party, during his visit to Chamarajanagar and put Mr. Krishnamurthy in that place. However, sole the responsibility of leading the party in the district is now borne by Krishnamurthy, who lost to Dhruvanarayan of Congress in Santemarahalli by a single vote.

While Mahadeva Prasad is contesting on Congress ticket from Gundlupet, Ms. Nagappa is contesting from Hanur as the BSP candidate. But, Balaraj is still searching for constituency. In all likelihood, he may again contest as independent candidate from Kollegal.

Though Mr. Prasad is the lonely Veerashaiva candidate, who got Congress ticket, it will not be a cakewalk for him in Gundlupet, as he is facing stiff opposition from local leaders, who have aspired for the ticket. C.S. Niranjanakumar who opposed his entry into the Congress has joined the BJP and is contesting against Mr. Prasad.

Ms. Nagappa, who rode on sympathy wave of losing her husband in the previous term, is now contesting from Hanur accusing three major parties of not inquiring in to the death of her husband Nagappa.

Knowing well that it is difficult to get ticket from Congress and Sattegala, which is annexed to Hanur constituency in the recent delimitation has a Dalit base, she joined BSP.

A.R. Krishnamurthy, lone warrior of the Janata Dal (Secular) is facing cine director Mahendra of the BJP and Dhruvanarayan of the Congress. It is stiff fight between the three parties.

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