Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 26: In an operation spearheaded by Congress leaders, following in the footsteps of G T Devegowda, four more JD(S) legislators are being pursued by the Congress leaders to join their party, it is learnt.

Leader of the opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, D K Shivakumar, have joined together to draw up strategy to dent the influence of the JD(S) in Old Mysuru, north Karnataka and Malnad regions and make efforts to see that the Congress gains eminence. In the first phase, an attempt will be made to convince MLAs S R Srinivas of Gubbi constituency, Srinivas Gowda representing Kolar, and MLCs Bemel Kantaraj and V Manohar, to cross over to the JD(S), sources said. Talks are already in progress with them.

Srinivas from Gubbi is already keeping distance from the JD(S) leaders. He is in constant contact with the Congress leaders. Bemel Kantaraj is likely to be offered a ticket from Turuvekere constituency, it is said. There are also rumours that Srinivas Gowda's son will be given Congress ticket in zilla panchayat election, and MLC V Manohar will be offered ticket from Kolar constituency.

Reliable sources also said that former minister Varthur Prakash, is interested in joining the Congress. At the same time, five people who deserted the Congress and joined the BJP in Operation Lotus are likely to return to the Congress fold during the assembly election. The Congress is searching for capable candidates in ten to 15 constituencies. It is said that the party has offered Chamundeshwari constituency ticket to G T Devegowda and his son Harish Gowda, has been promised ticket from K R Nagar constituency.