JDS leaders have agreed to support Congress in Karnataka by polls

Local JD(S) leaders have expressed their willingness to support Congress in the August 21 Assembly by-poll for Shikaripura constituency with an aim to unseat BJP, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed today. Discussions between local leaders of JD(S) and Congress had been held twice, Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

Siddaramaiah said BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa, whose son B Y Raghavendra is contesting, forced "this unwanted" by election in Shikaripura following his election as a Lok Sabha member from Shimoga as he aspired to be a union minister. The Chief Minister visited several villages in the taluk today campaigning in support of Congress candidate Shanthaveerappa Gowda, accompanied by KPCC president G Parameshwara.

Raghavendra, who was earlier a Lok Sabha member from Shimoga, is campaigning briskly in the entire constituency along with his father. Bellary and Chikodi-Sadalga are also going to by-polls.