JDS set to release first list of candidates for Karnataka polls one year in advance

Janata Dal (Secular) is set to release the first list of candidates for the Karnataka assembly elections one year in advance.

Janata Dal (Secular) is set to release the first list of candidates for the Karnataka assembly elections one year in advance.

According to reports, the first list of JDS candidates for the state polls will be released in six weeks' time.

JDS might also announce the candidate for the Hassan constituency in the first list.

JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy was the chief minister heading the Congress-JDS coalition government in the state in 2018. The government collapsed in 2019 when some MLAs from both parties defected to the BJP, paving the way for BJP to come back to power.

Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal recently alleged that some sitting ministers who had defected from Congress to BJP in 2020, will rejoin Congress ahead of the next state assembly elections.

He was referring to Congress defectors who were made ministers in the BJP government. According to Yatnal, these ministers will complete their term and defect to Congress ahead of the next election.

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah confirmed that few JDS and BJP MLAs are in touch with Congress to make a comeback. Operation Hasta (hand) reportedly refers to the defection of BJP and JDS party members to Congress.