Mangalore: Shakuntala Shetty, Halady Srinivas to Join JD(S)?
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Sep 25: They say anything can happen in politics. If rumour mills are to be believed, that may well be the case with former BJP MLAs Shakuntala Shetty and Halady Srinivas Shetty.
Reliable sources have informed that both are keen on joining JD(S).
Shakuntala Shetty was in fact spotted at the time of JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy's arrival at a private residence, where he addressed a press meet on Monday September evening.
When curious mediapersons questioned her, she spoke casually and said it was her relative's house, and ruled out any possibility of joining the JD(S).
However, Kumaraswamy dropped enough hints about the two getting into the JD(S) fold, when he said that both have good opinion about him and that the final decision would be taken by them soon.
"If Shakuntala Shetty is like my sister, Halady personally has good opinion about my family," HDK said.
The results of these little hints would be keenly awaited. With former BJP heavyweight Nagaraj Shetty joining JD(S), the possibilities of Halady and Shakuntala following suit would not seem far-fetched.
Kumaraswamy rules out pre-election tie-up with BJP and Congress
Former CM and JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy clarified that JD(S) would not tie up with national parties viz. Congress and BJP in the coming assembly elections, but would instead focus on strengthening the party’s base.
Addressing a press conference held in the outskirts of the city on Monday September 24, HDK said that the party is already gaining some success in the coastal region, with many expressing their keenness in joining the JD(S). "I am an optimist, hence I anticipate more success in the coming days," he added.
He said that he would spend more time on strengthening the party in the coastal region and a full-fledged party manifesto would be prepared prior to the elections, in which separate priority will be given for this region.
Kumaraswamy added that a meeting of non-resident Kannadigas (NRK) who are successful entrepreneurs in Mumbai and other places too would be held and support would be sought from them for the party.