It’s official, BJP to campaign for JD(S)

Sealing the tacit understanding between the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) for the Bangalore Rural and Mandya Lok Sabha constituencies byelections, the saffron party’s Vokkaliga face, former deputy chief minister R Ashok will campaign for Anitha Kumaraswamy and C S Puttaraju.

Along with Ashok, several BJP workers are likely to hit the campaign trial from Wednesday, making it a united Opposition fight against the ruling Congress. JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda, however, has still not acknowledged the understanding, which remains unofficial.

Ashok, because of his proximity to state JD(S) president and Gowda’s son, H D Kumaraswamy, had reportedly prepared the ground work for the understanding. He is also credited with getting it approved by BJP’s Delhi leaders through party state president Prahlad Joshi.

Sources said Ashok will concentrate on regions where the BJP secured votes in the May 5 Assembly elections.

Besides, he has also been asked to woo the Vokkaliga voters in both the constituencies.

In reciprocation, Kumara­swamy has instructed JD(S) leaders in Haveri, Dharwad and Chitradurga districts to campaign for BJP candidates in the Legislative Council byelections to be held on August 22.

As of now, no BJP leader except Ashok is likely to hit the campaign trial in support of JD(S) candidates, but sources said the BJP is working in full strength for them in both the Lok Sabha constituencies.

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