K'taka Polls: JDS In Touch With 'Winnable' Candidates In Case Of Hung House

As exit polls predicted a hung assembly in Karnataka, Janata Dal (Secular) sees a bright chance for itself. Amid reports of BJP and Congress leaders approaching JDS winnable candidates, ex-Karnataka chief minister and Janata Dal Secular leader HD Kumaraswamy has contacted JDS candidates and personally requested that they remain independent of any external influences.

Despite being in Singapore, Kumaraswamy is in constant communication with the candidates he believes will win and has assured them that the party will play a crucial role in the formation of the next government.

On Friday, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, despite ill health, spoke with several potential winning JDS candidates and instructed them to avoid affiliations with both BJP and Congress. He also directed them to meet him after the results are declared in their respective constituencies. Reports indicate that Congress has already begun approaching rebel party candidates who joined other parties, in case of a hung Assembly.

Kumaraswamy is expected to return to Bengaluru on Saturday morning, just before the counting begins in the state. JDS has stated that both Congress and BJP have approached them for a possible alliance in case of a fractured mandate. While most exit polls suggest that Congress has an advantage in the Karnataka polls, BJP leaders remain confident in their ability to retain power in the state on May 13th.