Bengaluru: With a view to infuse young blood into the party hierarchy, JD(S) is planning to go for new faces in the coming elections to the State Legislative Council from local bodies scheduled to be held in December.
In the 75-member Upper House, JD(S) has 12 members of which the tenure of five members would be over on January 5, 2016. They are; Mr B Ramakrishna from Mandya Mr Sandesh Nagaraj from Mysuru, Mr E Krishnappa from Bengaluru Rural, Mr Patel Shivaram from Hassan and M.R. Hulinaikar from Tumakuru.
State JD(S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy told DC that they are seriously thinking of giving tickets to youth as it would help strengthen the party with the Assembly elections due in 2018. Some of them have been members of the Legislative Council for more than two terms. Naturally, there is a demand from other leaders from Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Hassan, Bengaluru Rural and Tumakuru to make them members of Upper House.
He said so far no decision has been taken regarding the candidature for the Council polls and it would be decided in the meeting of party legislators to be convened soon. Ultimately, the list of candidates has to be endorsed by JD(S) president H.D. Deve Gowda. “I am of the opinion that new faces must be given a chance as a few members have been enjoying power for more than two terms and other should also get a chance.” Going by the party strength in local bodies, Mr Kumaraswamy said, they want to retain all five seats come what may without the support of other parties.
