JD(S) will fight alone in byelections: Gowda

Bangalore, Aug 24 (UNI) After failing to elicit any response from the Congress on having a poll tie up to defeat BJP, Janata Dal(S) President H D Deve Gowda today said that his party would fight alone in the coming byelections.

The former Prime Minister had sounded the Congress for a tie up to defeat the seven legislators who had joined the saffron party after defecting from the two parties.

Three MLAs from Congress -- Anand Asnotikar, J Narasimha Swamy and Jaggesh and four from the JD(S) like Umesh Katti, Balachandra Jarkiholi, Shivanagouda Nayak and Gowrishankar had defected and resigned to their seats to join the BJP.

"I sought help from the Congress to defeat these defectors to teach them a right lesson. But Congress has taken it too lightly. We will show our strength and fight the elections alone," he said.

After voting against the UPA in the recent trust vote in the Lok Sabha, Mr Gowda had sought the poll alliance which was ignored by the Congress.

The seven legislators had joined the BJP following its 'Operation Lotus' to lure opposition legislators into the party.

The party had won 110 seats in the 224-member house and had formed the government by eliciting the support of six independents.

It launched the operation to gain a majority on its own.

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