Amidst confusion in the Congress ranks after the Cabinet expansion, its coalition partner in the ruling dispensation, the Janata Dal (Secular), is being seen as flexing its muscles by seeking more seats than expected for the Lok Sabha polls.
While party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda did not go into details of the seat sharing with the Congress during his interaction with the press in New Delhi on Tuesday, he indicated that the party was expecting one-third Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.
The JD(S), insiders point out, is pitching for about one-third seats, including Hassan and Mandya, where it put up an impressive performance in the Assembly elections. It is also eyeing Mysuru, Tumakuru, Kolar, Chickballapur, Bengaluru North, Chitradurga, Shivamogga, Raichur, Vijayapura, and Bidar.
Of the seats being eyed by the JD(S), Tumakuru (S.P. Muddahanume Gowda), Kolar (K.H. Muniyappa), Chikkaballapur (M. Veerappa Moily), Chitradurga (B.N. Chandrappa) and Raichur (B.V. Naik) are currently held by Congress MPs.
“Logically, the Congress may not want to give up seats in Old Mysore region and those it holds. But what is wrong in asking for those seats when we have done well in Assembly elections. The party will seek one-third as its share and obviously more in south Karnataka,” a JD(S) leader said.
However, sources in the Congress believe that the number of seats that the JD(S) is seeking could be an early start in the hard bargaining between the coalition partners ahead of parliamentary elections.
Though the JD(S) has been asking for its one-third share in the seat-sharing arrangement, the chances of winning seats are far less than what it has been demanding, sources pointed out.
“The seat sharing also depends on former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s role. Many of the seats that the JD(S) is hoping to get is from Old Mysore region, including Mysuru Lok Sabha seat, which is where he comes from. Already, the Congress base is getting eroded due to the coalition compulsion. In case if more seats go to JD(S), it will not augur well for the Congress,” sources said.
Meanwhile, a senior Congress leader and an MP from Old Mysore region said that it is unlikely that the Congress will let go of so many seats, especially those currently represented by its partymen.
The MP, however, conceded that the Congress could give up Bengaluru North.
“The decision on the important Mysuru Lok Sabha seat will be taken by former Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah). At the most, it looks like the Congress may share six to seven seats, which also depends on the winnable factor,” he added.
