DK Shivakumar invites JD(S) workers to join Congress

Bengaluru

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, also the Congress state president, reiterated his offer on Monday for JD(S) workers to join the Congress party. Addressing workers in Channapatna, Ramanagara district, Shivakumar invited JD(S) supporters to advance their political careers with Congress, clarifying that the offer was specifically for party workers and not legislators.

“I haven’t spoken about JD(S) legislators,” Shivakumar clarified, adding that while JD(S) MLAs are focused on their futures, they aren’t addressing local concerns, leaving workers waiting. He noted that many JD(S) workers are eager to join Congress, prompting his invitation.

Shivakumar emphasized that no JD(S) MLAs have approached him, asserting that Congress’s current strength is sufficient without any additions. He was also backed by state Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who supported allowing individuals who believe in Congress’s ideology to join.

This offer is seen as part of Shivakumar’s effort to make inroads into JD(S)-dominant regions like Ramanagara, Mandya, and Hassan. In a recent Channapatna bypoll, Congress defeated JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, further solidifying Congress’s influence in the area. There was no immediate response from JD(S).