More desertions in Karnataka as elections near

With all parties yet to release their full list of candidates, two MLAs have resigned and joined the Congress.

A T Ramaswamy of the Janata Dal (S) who represents the Arkalgud constituency in Hassan and N Y Gopalkrishna of the BJP from Kudligi have resigned from their respective parties and joined the Congress. Both are likely to contest from the same seats in the May 10 elections on a Congress ticket.

Ramaswamy became the second leader from the JD(S)to quit the party this week. Earlier, S R Srinivas from the Gubbi district had quit the party and joined the Congress. The JD(S) is expected to witness more desertions as reports say that K M Shivalinge Gowda who represents Arsikere is also likely to ditch his party.

Ramaswamy while confirming his resignation said that he thanks the JD(S) for giving him the opportunity to serve as a member of the Legislative Assembly.

"I did not quit the JD(S). The party threw me out. I am a victim of money power. I have been contacted by people of other parties. I will decide in a day or two whom to join," Ramaswamy said.

Meanwhile A Manju who has done stints with the BJP and Congress is likely to contest on a JD(S) ticket from the Arkalgud constituency. Gopalkrishna on the other hand has met with both Congress chief, D K Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah and held discussions.

A former member of the Congress, Gopalkrishna had won the elections from the Molakamuru assembly in Chitradurga district, four times. After he had been denied a Congress ticket in 2018, he joined the BJP ahead of the elections.

The BJP had given him a ticket from the Kudligi constituency instead of Molakmuru as senior BJP leader Sriramulu was fielded from there. Both Sriramulu and Gopalkrishna won the elections.

All parties are yet to release their final list of candidates. The Congress and JD(S) has released half their lists. The experts say that the Congress and JD(S) are waiting for the final list of candidates to be released by the BJP. Both parties are expecting desertions from the BJP. There has been a war of words between the BJP and Congress with both parties accusing each other of trying to poach leaders from either sides.

Elections in Karnataka will be held on May 10 as per the announcement made by the Election Commission of India earlier this week. The verdict will be out on May 13.