Karnataka by-polls: Congress likely to join hands with JD(S), say state leaders

Bengaluru: Sounding upbeat after forming a coalition government in Maharashtra, Congress in Karnataka on Sunday indicated it was not

averse to joining hands with JD(S) once again, in case the ruling BJP fails to garner required number of seats to be in majority, after December 5 bypolls.

JD(S) leaders have already dropped enough hints about the party being open to such a possibility.

The Congress and JD(S), who ran a coalition government for 14 months in the state and contested Lok Sabha polls in alliance, have parted ways after the collapse of the H D Kumaraswamy ministry in July following the rebellion by 17 MLAs, and are contesting the bypolls independently.

The ruling BJP led by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa needs to win at least six seats in the bypolls to 15 constituencies to remain in a majority in the 224-member assembly,

which would still have two vacant seats-- Maski and R R Nagar.Rubbishing indications by Congress and JD(S) leaders of a possible post by-poll alliance, Yediyurappa said, such talks don't have any value, and asserted that BJP's candidates in all the 15 assembly constituencies going for bypolls would be victorious.

Speaking to reporters during campaign in poll bound Shivajinagar assembly segment here, he said, "such talks don't have any value. Those who are insane are talking such things, and it doesn't have value."

With the campaigning for bypolls ending on Tuesday, political leaders are indulging in hectic electioneering in 15 constituencies to woo voters.

"In order to protect the constitution, democracy and to provide social justice with secular principles, when the situation arises, we will take necessary steps after discussing with our allies and UPA partners on such a matter," veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Speaking to media here, he said, "Let's see what happens in the future... winning in 15 seats is what we are looking for.. we will let you know. We will give you a correct picture on December 9.. we will give you good news."

Kharge, who is also Congress General Secretary in- charge of Maharashtra, where the party formed a coalition government in alliance with Shiv Sena and NCP and successfully managed to keep BJP out of power, noted the party took such a decision in the neighboring state to "protect" democracy.