JD(S), BJP workers argue on stage in Somanna’s presence

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: mayoral elections BJP and JD(S) workers argued on stage in Tumakuru district as the two alliance partners continued facing teething troubles in the lead up to the Lok Sabha elections.

The incident occurred in Turuvekere town in Tumakuru district where BJP candidate V Somanna was holding a rally.

The inciting incident was BJP leader Kondajji Vishwanath coming on to the stage and trying to speak.

JD(S) MLA MT Krishnappa took offence and claimed that Vishwanath was responsible for his defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Vishwanath had been a JD(S) leader at that point but had joined the BJP later on.

JD(S) workers on the spot supported Krishnappa and Vishwanath wasn’t allowed to speak. Somanna tried to placate both groups and the programme then continued.

Somanna hopes to cobble together a meaningful alliance between the two parties and has sought the assent of both BJP bigwig BS Yediyurappa and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda for a smooth transfer of votes.