Bengaluru: Speculations within the JD(S) that its state President H D Kumaraswamy is likely to contest from the Mandya Lok Sabha segment, has led to opposition from a section of its workers in Channapatna Assembly constituency that he currently represents. The party’s core committee leaders are likely to meet here on Tuesday to decide on the candidates for Kolar, Hassan and Mandya, the three seats from where the regional party will be contesting, as part of the seat-sharing deal with the BJP.

With speculation rife that Kumaraswamy is most likely to contest from Mandya, party workers and leaders from Channapatna met him on Monday and demanded that he should not ”abandon them” and should continue to represent them in the Assembly.

However, JD(S) leaders and workers, and also a section of the BJP in Mandya want him to contest from the Lok Sabha segment, according to sources.

”…naturally there is a strong opinion among the party workers that Kumaranna (Kumaraswamy) should not leave Channapatna. Party supremo H D Deve Gowda is in Hassan, they (party leaders from Channapatna) will go and speak to him as well, give us some time (to decide),” Kumaraswamy’s son and Yuva JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy said.

Speaking to reporters here, he however did not wish to comment on a question about some party workers asking him to contest from the Mandya Lok Sabha seat instead and let Kumaraswamy continue as Channapatna MLA.

”Tomorrow, the core committee members have been called, after discussion there, the party leadership will decide on a future course of action….In old Mysuru region naturally there is a feeling that if Kumaranna contests in this Lok Sabha polls it will enthuse our cadre, similar is the feeling among BJP cadre. We will make a decision after discussions tomorrow,” he added.

Names of Nikhil Kumaraswamy and senior party leader and former MP C S Puttaraju were also doing the rounds as JD(S) candidate from Mandya.

Multilingual actress turned-politician Sumalatha Ambareesh, an independent candidate backed by the BJP, had won the seat in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, by defeating JD(S)’ Nikhil Kumaraswamy. She had also sought a BJP ticket for re-election from the seat.

However, BJP General Secretary in-charge of elections in Karnataka, Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal on Saturday said the JD(S) would contest from Mandya, Hassan and Kolar Lok Sabha constituencies.

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Belthangady: A 19-year-old girl from Belalu village, who had attempted suicide at home by consuming poison, has reportedly died at a hospital in Mangaluru.

The deceased, Rama, was the daughter of Dinesh and Revathi Naik of Mayada Balemandikallu in Belalu village, Belthangady taluk, and a II PUC student at Vamapadavu College.

Rama’s attempt to commit suicide is being linked to personal matters, as she is known to have loved a youngster.

On the night of April 19, she reportedly consumed rat poison at her residence and was admitted to a hospital in Mangaluru for treatment. After 10 days of treatment, she died on April 30 after failing to respond to medical care.

A case has been registered at the Dharmasthala Police Station, and investigation is underway.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)