JD(S) will decide chief ministerial candidate, says Siddaramaiah

Congress to write to the Governor expressing its unconditional support to the JD(S).

BENGALURU - KARNATAKA - 02/05/2018 : Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H D Deve Gowda, during meet the Press orgnaised by Press Club of Bengaluru, Cubbon Park, in Bengaluru on May 02, 2018. Photo: K. Murali Kumar

The Congress is ready to support a JD(S) chief minister to stop the BJP from coming to power in Karnataka, the party said on May 15.

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The Congress will write to the Governor expressing its unconditional support to the JD(S).

In Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the media that the Congress would support the Janata Dal (Secular). When asked who would be the chief ministerial candidate, he said it was up to the JD(S) to decide.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President G. Parameshwara formally made the announcement, saying it was the decision of the All India Congress Committee to support the JD(S).

The development comes as the BJP is likely to fall short of a simple majority to form a government. The BJP, which is hovering between 104-107, a few seats short of the simple majority of 113.

This has brought the JD(S) back in the reckoning as “king-maker.” Speculation was rife about the Congress and the BJP trying to reach out to JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda about the possibility of forming a coalition government.

According to sources R. Ashok of the BJP is also going to meet Mr. Gowda.