Hours after the Election Commission announced the poll date on Saturday for the by-elections on 15 consituencies in Karnataka, Janata Dal (Secular) president HD Deve Gowda ruled out the possibility of an alliance with Congress party in the state.
After the last Assmebly election in the southern state in 2018, both the Congress and JD(S) had formed a coalition government, however, in July this year, their government was collapased.
Speaking to media persons, Deve Gowda stated, “HD Kumaraswamy, who was the Chief Minister heading the coalition government has already declared that we want to contest all 15 constituencies. The suffering he faced at the hands of Congress, he does not want it anymore.”
HD Deve Gowda, JD(S) on Karnataka Assembly by-polls: HD Kumaraswamy, who was the Chief Minister heading the coalition government has already declared that we want to contest all 15 constituencies. The suffering he faced at the hands of Congress, he does not want it anymore. pic.twitter.com/VxMwAUhXaf
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2019
He further said that the senior leaders of the party will meet on Sunday to determine further course of action.
“I have completed the process of meeting our workers in 30 districts. Their suffering from the last 14 months is unimaginable and they do not want any understanding with the Congress or BJP,” he added.
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The by-elections in Karnataka will be held on October 21 in 15 constituencies that went vacant after the disqualification of rebel MLAs of Congress and Janata Dal (Secular).
The constituencies going to the polls are Athani, Kagwad, Gokak, Ranebennur, Hirekerur, Yellapur, Vijayanagara, Hunsur, Krishnarajpet, Hosakote, Chikballapura, Mahalakshmi Layout, Yeshwanthpura, Shivajinagar, and KR Pura.
Besides Karnataka, bypolls in 62 other states and Puducherry will take place on October 21 alongwith Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. The counting of votes will take place on October 24.
(With ANI inputs)