Siddaramaiah tells Cong MLAs to attack JDS on 'understanding' with BJP

In run-up to bypolls to 15 seats in Karnataka, Congress high command has reportedly told Siddaramaiah to secure at least 10 seats. newly-elected Leer of Opposition(LoP) has been given target of ensuring that at least a majority of seats which was with Congress before rebels resigned is back within party fold. Furrmore, in a meeting with party leers, Siddaramaiah reportedly instructed Congress leers that during campaign, y have to stress upon voters that 'voting for Kumaraswamy-led JD(S) is as good as voting for BJP', alleging that both parties have an internal-ufficial understanding.

tably, even before Karnataka assembly elections in 2018, Congress party and former CM campaigned along same lines. In this upcoming bypolls, this strategy is likely to be opted particularly in Old Mysore region where Congress’ primary rival is JDS. By using this strategy, Congress party is aiming to consolidate its vote base.

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Such statements have proved to be a dominant factor of friction between JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda and Congress leer Siddaramiah with former having attributed same as a major factor for JD(S)'s poor performance in 2018 assembly polls. Following break-up of Congress-JD(S) alliance in state Karnataka, Siddaramiah reportedly wants a bi-polar contest with chance of JD(S) attempting to split vote base of Grand Old party. 

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Furrmore, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi has reportedly told Siddaramiah that since12 seats belong to Congress, he has to secure at least 10 seats for party in bypolls, in order to make up for coalition failure. Several Congress rebels, who resigned from ir positions as legislators, have me repeated and damaging statements against Siddaramiah, claiming that  former Chief Minister h asked m to pull out ir support to coalition government. 

Meanwhile, BJP government in Karnataka currently has 105 legislators. party needs to win at least 7-8 seats to stay in power. With mounting pressure from disqualified MLAs and ir own legislators demanding loyalty be rewarded with poll tickets, BJP is a tight bind over assigning tickets to winnable candidates.

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