ZP polls: JD(S) to toe line set by party legislators

Bengaluru: Not ready to take the blame for 'favoritism' in distribution of tickets, Janata Dal (S) is learnt to have decided to give tickets recommended by local party legislators in the coming ZP/TP polls.

Distribution of tickets has been one of the problems for JD(S) especially in districts where it has an upper hand. Last minute changes in candidates in winnable constituencies had upset party workers and aspirants in almost all elections. Many a time, party supremo and former PM, H.D. Deve Gowda or state president, H D Kumaraswamy had selected the candidates much against the wish of legislators. This had soured the relationship between state leaders and legislators.

In order to avoid this confusion, the party has decided to give tickets only to candidates recommended by local legislators for the ZP/TP elections scheduled for next month. This would help legislators to pick winnable candidates in their constituencies as their help is vital in the 2018 Assembly polls.

Besides, it would convince the legislators that the party high command had given credence to their suggestions and would take the poll seriously.

However, the state leaders would be in the driver's seat and can pull up legislators if there are complaints of 'favoritism' in ticket distribution.

Sources said it has become necessary for the JD(S) to capture maximum zilla panchayats in its strongholds keeping in view the 2018 Assembly polls. The ZP/TP polls was considered a 'mini-sangram' to understand the pulse of the rural masses. The strength of JD(S) had been rural voters but it was eroded in recent past due to exodus of important leaders to other parties. With 40 seats in the state Assembly, the need of the hour is to declare a ceasefire with such legislators at least till the ZP/TP polls are over, sources said.