Deve Gowda expressed hope that the CMs of both Telugu states

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (S) chief Deve Gowda on Monday expressed hope that the Chief Ministers of both Telugu states K. Chandrasekhar Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu will make his party come to power in Karnataka Assembly elections.

“Our party will be ahead of other in the polls,” Mr Gowda told a TV channel. “We will play a key role in the formation of the new government. The Chief Ministers of both Telugu states KCR and Chandrababu will make us win.”  Mr Rao, who is planning to float a new Front against the BJP and the Congress had openly declared his support to the JD(S). AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is angry with the BJP over the denial of special status to Andhra Pradesh, has given a call to defeat the BJP in the Karnataka elections.

It estimated that Telugu voters will be able to influence the results in 30 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka. Mr Gowda is hopeful that the call given by both the chief ministers against the BJP will help JD(S) candidates in places with more Telugu voters. Telugus in Karnataka had taken up an online campaign against the BJP in a big way, reflcting he sentiments echoed by the two chief ministers. While poll surveys indicate that the main fight will be between the Congress and the BJP in Karnataka Assembly elections, Mr Gowda, surprisingly,  has claimed that his party will be ahead of others.

JD(S) is hopeful of a hung Assembly which will give it a chance in forming the government.