Political parties are going all out to strike alliances as the polling date for the Lok Sabha byelections is nearing.
In surprise move, the former Minister D.K. Shivakumar, whose brother D.K. Suresh is contesting from the Bangalore Rural constituency on the Congress ticket, met the former Chief Minister and Karnataka Janata Paksha leader B.S. Yeddyurappa and sought his support.
‘Courtesy call’
However, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme, Mr. Yeddyurappa dismissed rumours that his party had entered into an agreement with any political party for the Lok Sabha byelections. When asked about Mr. Shivakumar’s visit, he termed it a “courtesy call” and said: “Several parties come and ask for support. But we have not decided to support any party.”
Yogeshwar’s meeting
In yet another interesting development, Samajwadi Party MLA and the party’s Karnataka unit president C.P. Yogeshwar held discussions with Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on supporting the Congress candidates in the Bangalore Rural and Mandya constituencies.
Campaign schedule
Meanwhile, the Congress has deputed a Minister and three MLAs in each of the Assembly segments in the two Lok Sabha constituencies. The party has also released details of campaign by its top leaders. Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Parameshwara, besides the former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, would tour the two constituencies.
Polling is scheduled for August 21.
