JD(S) to Keep its Options Open

BANGALORE: The JD(S), which has decided not field its candidate in the elections to legislative council for want of numbers, is keen to repeat the recent result of Bellary rural where independent candidate B Sriramulu won on its support.  “Our strength in the Assembly is well known. So, we will not field our candidate,” party general secretary and spokesperson Y S V Datta told Express on Friday. According to Datta, the party has kept its options open and would decide whether to support the Congress candidate or if there would be any independent. He said that the arithmetic as well as the chemistry in the relationship between various political parties has changed drastically withSriramulu’s victory and his decision to float a new political outfit. “Sriramulu has spoken of the support of 22 BJP MLAs and his determination to defeat CM D V Sadananda Gowda, who is seeking entry into the upper house,” Datta explained and added, “We will watch how the developments unfold in the coming days but we are firm that we will not field  our candidate.”