Pressure mounts on former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to contest Lok Sabha elections

While JD(S) leaders are divided over the consequences of him entering the fray, the BJP central leadership is believed to be keen that he takes the plunge and arrive on the national stage.

The pressure on former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to contest the Lok Sabha elections from a section of his colleagues in the Janata Dal (Secular) as well as the BJP seems to be increasing. The seat-sharing agreement between the two parties is likely to be announced by this weekend.

While party leaders are divided over the consequences in case of him entering the fray, the BJP central leadership is believed to be keen that he takes the plunge and arrive on the national stage. Though Mr. Kumaraswamy has not revealed his plans yet, his father and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has on multiple occasions stated that ultimately Prime Minister Narendra Modi will decide on the issue.

Earlier, the party leaders had exerted pressure on Mr. Kumaraswamy to contest from Mandya. On March 5, at another meeting of leaders from Bengaluru Rural constituency in which three BJP lawmakers were present, Mr. Kumaraswamy was requested to consider contesting from the Bengaluru Rural constituency. At another meeting recently, he was requested to consider Chikkaballapura.

The seat-sharing arrangement among the NDA partners will be formalised this weekend. The BJP’s Central Election Committee is meeting on March 8. Mr. Kumaraswamy is travelling to Delhi this weekend to hold final discussions with the BJP central leadership.

JD(S) sources said that it has been decided that the party will get Mandya, Hassan and Kolar, and is likely to get one from among Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru or Chikkaballapura. constituencies.

Multiple sources in both JD(S) and BJP, who are aware of the developments, confirmed that there is pressure on Mr. Kumaraswamy to contest.

“BJP central leaders are keen that Mr. Kumaraswamy contest from Chikkaballapura, as the saffron party is set to replace incumbent B.N. Bachegowda. But, a section of party leaders are worried about the party’s prospects and a possible leadership crisis if Mr. Kumaraswamy decides to enter national politics,” sources in the JD(S) revealed.