Hubballi: Five bungalows have been shortlisted for renting in the city for Janata Dal (S) state chief, H.D. Kumaraswamy who is planning to camp in Hubballi for at least 10 days in a month as part of his strategy to revive the party in North Karnataka.
Local JD(S) leaders,who have whetted the bungalows as ordered, hope Mr Kumaraswamy will decide on one of the five they have shortlisted during his visit to the city over the next few days.
"We have found five bungalows with six or seven bedrooms, a meeting hall, an office and adequate parking space for Mr Kumaraswamy. We have shortlisted these houses considering their proximity to the railway station and airport. He will finalise one of the bungalows soon on his visit to the city. He will stay here for over a week every month to tour all districts of North Karnataka and hear the grievances of party workers and the people," said former minister Hanumantappa Alkod.
Mr Kumaraswamy’s decision to focus on North Karnataka has cheered local party workers, who have often accused the top brass of neglecting the region. With morale low in its ranks, the party has been struggling for survival in this part of the state.
Hoping to change all this, the former Chief Minister is now planning to chalk out a strategy to boost the morale of his party workers and also draw up a tour schedule to focus on issues confronting the farmer community like the Mahadayi water dispute and sugarcane price. Party leaders too are now gearing up to strengthen its base in the region ahead of the coming Assembly elections.
They are hoping to persuade leaders, who had deserted the party owing to its lack of interest in the region, to return to its fold and make a difference its fortunes in the next poll.
