Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 25: Although JD(S) and Congress have agreed on seat sharing formula, the Congress leaders appear to be disgruntled over the way constituencies where their party has predominance, were surrendered to JD(S). The situation has taken such an ugly turn that it appears that unhappy Congress leaders have been making a determined bid to defeat JD(S) national president, H D Deve Gowda and his family members who have entered the election fray this time.

In Tumakuru, current MP, Muddahanume Gowda, has decided to take a plunge against Deve Gowda, even if Congress fails to approve his candidature. Former Congress stalwart and former minister, A Manju, has joined BJP and has been fielded in Hassan Lok Sabha constituency by the BJP. He can pose real challenge to Prajwal Revanna, son of minister, H D Revanna. In Mandya constituency, Congress workers have overlooked instructions given by the party leaders, and have been openly supporting the candidature of independent candidate, Sumalatha Ambareesh.

There have been claims that leaders of these two parties have succeeded in coordinating with each other, but grass root level workers are yet to come to terms with the electoral understanding. But an audio reportedly containing conversation of Congress minister N Cheluvarayaswamy,   who can be heard asking another leader Shivaprakash Babu, to support Sumalatha instead of Nikhil Kumaraswamy, has spelt more trouble for the alliance partners. At the same time it is said that chairman of coordination committee of the coalition government, Siddaramaiah, will stay away from the procession planned to be taken out on Monday on the occasion of filing of nomination by consensus candidate, Nikhil Kumaraswamy.

In Hassan, realising that local Congress leaders might support A Manju, and spoil his son's prospects, PWD minister, H D Revanna, has been visiting houses of Congress leaders seeking their support for his son.