JDS to nominate former UP CM Mayawati for Rajya Sabha from Karnataka?

Ahead of Karnataka Assembly elections, JDS party once again is said to have made plans to consolidate its position, especially among Dalits.

According to sources, party supremo HD Deve Gowda who earlier entered into a pre-poll alliance with Bahujan Samajwadi Party is now keen on bringing more Dalits votes into JDS shares and in this regard, the party has taken this decision.

The party earlier had announced industrialist BM Farook's name for the same, but keeping larger benefit and JDS representation at a national level, Mayathi's name was proposed.

"Mayawati is a big Dalit leader but her party was crushed by Modi-Shan combine in UP, as a result, her party does not have numbers required to nominate her for RS seat. Now, with elections in Karnataka where it's a do or die for JDS party, this decision was being taken. Nominating Mayathi for RS seat will be master stroke for JDS. In case of shortage of seat, the party will approach Congress to extent support and if Congress fails to cooperate, wrong message will go out to public," said a senior JDS leader.

JDS Spokesperson and MLC Prakash Babu said the decision in this regard will be taken only by HD Kumaraswamy. To nominate anyone for RS seat from JDS, it requires numbers to get other party support, our party high command will take a decision on who to approach.

The election commission has announced that polls will be held on March 23 as the term of 58 members will expire in April. Karnataka's share will be for four seats, with limited seats of about 38 MLAs including rebels, the JDS need a helping hand either from Congress or BJP MLA's to support the RS seat backed by JDS.

• JDS
• Mayavathi
• Deve Gowda