JD(S)-Cong. coalition to focus on ironing out differences among cadre

JD(S) and Congress leaders at a party workers’ convention in Shivamogga.

Following the announcement of the result of the by-election for Shivamogga parliamentary seat, the Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition is working out strategies to enhance its votes tally for the forthcoming general election by ensuring better coordination between its leaders and cadres.

The leaders of the coalition, while campaigning for the by-election, had announced that Madhu Bangarappa will be the candidate for the general election too. T.N. Srinivas, president of Shivamogga District Congress Committee, told The Hindu that though there was bonhomie among the leaders of both parties while campaigning, it is necessary to ensure better coordination between the cadres in Tirthahalli and Bhadarvathi Assembly segments.

While Mr. Bangarappa got the lead in Bhadravathi Assembly segment, BJP candidate B.Y. Raghavendra got more votes in Tirthahalli Assembly segment.

It may be mentioned here that Kimmane Rathnakar, former Minister who had contested the previous Assembly election from Tirthahalli segment as Congress candidate, had serious differences with R.M. Manjunatha Gowda, who was in fray as JD(S) candidate. In Bhadravathi segment also, there was bitter war of words between Congress candidate B.K. Sangameshwar and M.J. Appaji of JD(S) during the Assembly election.

No camaraderie

Though Congress and JD(S) forged an alliance for the by-election, the camaraderie between the cadres of both the parties in Tirthahalli and Bhadravathi was not on expected levels.

Mr. Srinivas said that by ensuring better coordination, it is possible to further enhance the lead in Bhadravathi in the general election and improve the performance in Tirthahalli.

The differences among the leaders and cadres in problematic areas would be ironed out shortly by convening joint meetings.

In Shivamogga Rural Assembly segment also, such meetings will be held to ensure the complete transfer of Congress votes to the JD(S), he said.

The coalition secured lead in Sagar and Sorab segments owing to the unified efforts of the cadres. This would be presented as a model and the cadres would be motivated to replicate it in other Assembly segments,Mr. Srinivas added.