Ministers turn ‘poachers’ in south Karnataka districts

By Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Mysuru: The in-charge ministers of South Karnataka districts are reportedly donning the role of ‘poachers’ to hunt for leaders of other political parties to achieve the target of 150 seats set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the 2023 Assembly polls.

Minister S.T. Somashekhar who is in charge of Mysuru district, Dr C.Narayanagowda of Mandya, Dr C.N.Ashwath Narayana of Ramanagar and C.Gopalaiah of Hassan have launched Operation Kamala to poach on sitting and former MLAs of JD(S) and Congress Party. Already, these ministers are holding secret talks with leaders of other parties.

Some of them have been promised cabinet berths if the BJP retains power. While Dr Narayanagowda is in touch with JD(S) MLAs and former Congress leaders, Somashekar is in talks with JD(S) MLAs like G.T. Deve Gowda who has been promised the Chamundeshwari seat while Chamaraja constituency has been assured to his son, G.D.Harish Gowda.

Delhi BJP leaders are trying to convince Mandya independent MP Sumalatha Ambarish to join the party with her son, Abhishek, promised the ticket for Maddur. The late actor still has a big fan following in this constituency. Current JD(S) MLA D.C.Tamanna is a distant relative of Ambarish and has not shown much interest to contest next year due to his age.

C. Gopalaiah who is the incharge minister of Hassan district, is being assisted by Hassan City MLA Preetham Gowda. Many JD(S) leaders have shown interest to join the BJP since they claim the party had become ‘Appa, Makkalu, Mommakalu and Soseyara Party (Father, Sons, Grandsons and Daughter-in-laws’ party).