Cong-JD(S) pact still unclear

BANGALORE: All parties in the state are gearing up for by-elections to five assembly constituencies on August 18.
BJP will chalk out its strategy at a day-long meeting of the party's top leaders on Monday. "There will be a discussion on election strategy and candidates to be fielded. No organizational issue will come up," BJP state president D V Sadananda Gowda said on Sunday.
A high-level meeting of Congress members, too, will be held on Monday.The party's prestige is at stake considering poll results in the recent past. "We will learn from the past and that'll help us to prepare a strategy," KPCC president R V Deshpande said at a function on Sunday.
Congress seems to be in favour of an alliance with JD(S), although senior leaders were not willing to commit. Deshpande, however, said they will try to prevent the split of secular votes. "A split in secular votes will benefit communal parties. We will be in a better position to comment on a pact with JD(S) after Monday's meeting."
KPCC working president D K Shiva Kumar confirmed his party has not got any proposal from JD(S) to discuss the alliance issue.
On Saturday, JD(S) members held a meeting with representatives of all five constituencies. State president H D Kumaraswamy said the party is yet to receive any communication from the Congress camp about an alliance.
Sources said Kumaraswamy is against the idea of fielding any of his family members from Ramanagaram. Speculation has it that former PM H D Deve Gowda's daughter-in-law Bhavani could be a candidate from the seat, which was vacated by Kumaraswamy.
At a meeting with Ramanagaram representatives on Saturday, Kumaraswamy reportedly said he won't allow any of his family members to contest from here.
Former MLC Marilinge Gowda and party's district president Raju are also aspirants for this seat, and Muslims have requested for a representation.
In Channapatna, Ashwath, who lost by a narrow margin twice, is the frontrunner, while former minister Varade Gowda and Lingesh Kumar are in the queue.
In Govindrajnagar, Range Gowda, the defeated candidate in the May 2008 elections, and Mariyappa, a lawyer, are said to be seeking tickets.
In Kollegal, former MLA K N Balaraj is an aspirant.