Exclusive: Kumaraswamy speaks on shift to Hubballi, Pawan Kalyan alliance

In the 2013 Karnataka state elections, the Janata Dal (Secular) won just 40 seats. This was still an upswing from 2008 when they managed only 28 seats. Hoping to maintain that growth, the party has begun the groundwork for the 2018 elections right away, focusing on two areas - North Karnataka, where the party is weak, and Karnataka's large Telugu population. 

To consolidate its position in North Karnataka, party leader and CM-candidate HD Kumaraswamy will spend 15 days in North Karnataka every month. He is likely to shift to the city of Hubballi in November.                                                      

On the Telugu front, the JD (S) hopes to tap voters from the 'Hyderabad Karnataka' region, which consists of the districts of Kalburgi, Ballari,  Koppal and Bidar along with and Kolar, Chikkaballapura and parts of Tumkur and Bengaluru in Southern Karnataka. 

Sources say the JD (S) has entered into an understanding with Telugu actor 'power star' Pawan Kalyan, who is the founder of Jana Sena, a political party in Andhra Pradesh. Launched in 2014, the party is yet to contest any state-wide elections in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana.    

"The BJP, which always gets more MLAs from North Karnataka, failed to get the Mahadayi and Kalasa Banduri water issue solved. Farmers are dying without water, and there are no industries. They are promoting communal tension, instead of the interest of farmers. The ruling-Congress is also equally responsible for the pathetic condition of North Karnataka.  Hence I have decided to stay here (Hubballi) to understand the issues of North Karnataka districts and get them justice," Kumaraswamy told Asianet Newsable.                                               

"Amit Shah (BJP national president) had asked Pawan Kalyan to merge his party with the BJP. However, Kalyan wanted to keep his distance from them, as the BJP is communal in its politics. Kalyan was also horrified by the growing attacks on Dalits and minorities over the past several months. But Kalyan is satisfied with the JD (S) and has offered his help," Kumaraswamy stated.                     

JD (S) leader from Bengaluru, R Prakash, expressing confidence in the JD (S) doing well in the next elections, said, "The party's stand is very clear, and there is no confusion on the CM candidate. With Kumaraswamy in the forefront, the party will keep its best foot forward."  

"To add its voters tally, the party will also depute its Kerala unit in Bengaluru, to appeal to Malayali voters," said Prakash.        

• HD Kumaraswamy
• JD(S)
• Hubballi
• Pawan Kalyan
• Politics