Prioritise public opinion over party claims: Kumaraswamy on Hiriyur

Bengaluru: Differences have surfaced within the BJP-JD(S) alliance over the selection of a candidate for the proposed by-election to the Hiriyur Assembly constituency, even before the poll schedule has been announced.

While the Congress is preparing a strategy to retain the seat following the death of MLA D Sudhakar, the two National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners appear divided over who should contest. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants the ticket for its candidate, while the Janata Dal (Secular) is also considering entering the electoral race.

Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has expressed displeasure over Leader of Opposition R Ashoka’s statement that the seat should be allotted to the BJP. He said alliance leaders must first understand the political situation and gauge public sentiment instead of making the issue a matter of prestige.

“I have no prestige issue over fielding a candidate in the by-election. Winning this election is important for the alliance’s political future in the state. Both parties have a responsibility to understand what the people expect. The question is not whether the BJP or JD(S) should contest. We must gather public opinion, and I am ready for discussions,” Kumaraswamy said.

Ashoka had maintained that the BJP should contest the bypoll. He said the party would discuss the matter with Kumaraswamy and expressed confidence that the JD(S) would agree to the BJP retaining the seat.

The issue has triggered discussions within the NDA over whether Hiriyur should be allotted to the JD(S) or retained by the BJP. Kumaraswamy has already held an initial round of discussions with the BJP’s central leadership, but there is no clarity on the final decision.

Meanwhile, the Congress is also weighing its options. There is speculation that the party may field D. Sudhakar’s son Suhas to benefit from the sympathy factor. The bypoll is also politically significant for Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad.

The contest for the ticket within the NDA has therefore emerged as an early challenge for the alliance ahead of the by-election.

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