In a bid to maximize their alliance’s impact in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, the BJP and the JD(S) are considering an unusual “exchange formula” – whereby candidates from one party may contest on the other’s symbol in specific constituencies.
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Reports indicate this strategy is being evaluated for at least three seats in the Old Mysore region, where the BJP aims to replicate its stellar 2019 performance, winning 25 of the state’s 28 Lok Sabha constituencies.
Among the high-profile names being floated for this “symbol switch” is C N Manjunath, the 66-year-old son-in-law of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda. Manjunath, who recently retired as director of a top cardiovascular institute, could potentially be the BJP’s candidate from Bangalore North or Bangalore Rural.
While former Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda currently represents Bangalore North, Bangalore Rural is the Congress’ lone seat in the state held by D K Suresh, the brother of state Congress chief D K Shivakumar.
Manjunath confirmed being approached by both parties about contesting but said he was “still in a dilemma” and would decide after consulting the family in about a week. A senior JD(S) leader claimed Manjunath may have to join the BJP if fielded by them.
The BJP’s first list of 195 candidates did not feature any names from Karnataka. Its central election committee will likely meet on March 8 to finalize more candidates.
Apart from Manjunath, the names of JD(S) leader and former minister Sa Ra Mahesh and BJP’s V Somanna are also doing the rounds as potential beneficiaries of the proposed “symbol switch” pact between the two parties.
Mahesh could contest for the BJP from Mysore-Kodagu, currently held by Pratap Simha, whose candidature remains uncertain after last year’s Parliament security breach incident. There is speculation that Somanna may run on a JD(S) ticket from Tumkur, where sitting BJP MP G S Basavaraj has decided not to contest, citing age and health issues.
However, Somanna denied any such proposal so far from the leadership of either party. “The high commands will decide…there has been no such proposal as of now,” he said after meeting a BJP veteran leader.
Somanna, a former minister who lost both seats he contested in last year’s assembly polls, insisted that top leaders like Deve Gowda, H D Kumaraswamy and the BJP’s parliamentary board would make the final call.
The audacious “exchange formula” ploy underscores the perceived importance of the BJP and JD(S) joining forces in Karnataka to amplify their footprint and clout in the all-important battle for parliament. Its success could determine the complexion of the next government at the centre.
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