Bengaluru: 16 MLAs of JD (S) are likely to join Congress before 2023 State Assembly election.
According to sources close to Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D. K. Shivakumar, many MLAs have already approached him seeking ticket.
This development has come after former Minister Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda and Kolar MLA Shrinivasa Gowda met senior Congress leaders including D. K. Shivakumar.
Both are considered as influential Vokkaliga leaders who are expected to dent JD (S) Vokkaliga vote bank.
According to the sources, all the JD (S) MLAs from Mandya, JD(S) strong fort after Hassan are reportedly in touch with BJP and Congress leadership over shifting their parties. BJP is eyeing a chance in the district after party opened its account in the district through minister K.C. Narayana Gowda in K. R. Pet Constituency by-election.
According to the sources, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is struggling to lead the party due to health-related issues while former Prime Minister Deve Gowda is now too old to lead the party from the front, while H.D. Revanna is not liked by most of his party colleagues over his stubborn stand on a few issues.
