JD-S withdraws candidate from Jayanagar constituency election

Bengaluru: Karnataka’s decision Janata Dal-Secular JD(S) on Tuesday withdrew its candidate from the June 11 assembly election in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar constituency for its coalition partner Congress’ candidate, a party official said on Tuesday. 

“On the order of party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda, Kalegowda has withdrawn from the challenge in help of the Congress and to prevent division of mainstream votes,” the official said. 

Sowmya Reddy, the daughter of veteran Congress leader and former Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who was re-chosen from the BTM Layout portion in the city south in the May 12 assembly election. 

The election to Jayanagar was delayed after the demise of BJP candidate B.N. Vijaya Kumar on May 4 and re-scheduled for June 11. Vote counting is on June 13. 

The BJP, which rose as the single biggest party in the 225-part hung assembly, on May 22 named B.N. Prahlad, brother of Kumar, as its candidate to hold the renowned seat. 

Taking all things together, 19 competitors, including nine Independents are in the shred. The other lady candidate in the challenge is Nayeema Khanum of the Praja Raita Raajya Paksha.