Simha calls on Kumaraswamy, triggers intrigue

NT Correspondent

Ramanagara: BJP MP from MysuruKodagu Pratap Simha on Friday called on JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy at the latter’s farmhouse in Kattigenahalli village of Bidadi taluk in Ramanagara district.

The two former rivals have warmed up to each other ever since the BJP and JD(S) officially announced their pre-poll alliance for the Lok Sabha elections in September.

Kumaraswamy had even come out in support of Pratap’s brother Vikram when the latter was arrested and then bailed in a tree felling case.

Forest department officials from Bengaluru claimed that Vikram chopped off 126 trees in a wooded area of Hassan district and then smuggled and sold off the timber.

Kumaraswamy had called the arrest a political vendetta by the Congress State government.

Moreover, it is being speculated that Kumaraswamy or JD(S) leader CS Puttaraju might contest from Mandya, which is held by BJP-backed independent Sumalatha Ambareesh.

If the former CM does contest from Mandya, JD(S) workers believe it would influence the neighbouring district Mysuru, where the regional party is also pushing to field a candidate.

The regional party is considering fielding JD(S) MLA from Krishnarajanagara SR Mahesh from Mysuru-Kodagu.

It is not clear whether Simha called on Kumaraswamy to reconsider his desire for JD(S) being granted the chance to contest from the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha seat since it would displace the BJP leader.