Bengaluru, 27 Sept (H.S.): The BJP and JD(S) have begun a joint campaign for the four Karnataka Legislative Council seats going to the polls on October 23, treating the election as a test of their ability to work together ahead of the 2028 Assembly election. Counting is scheduled for October 27.

BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra and JD(S) leader and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy met senior leaders of both parties on Saturday to discuss constituency strategies, the deployment of workers and coordination between their campaign teams.

“We must work together and face the election together. The BJP and JD(S) should win all four seats,” Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje told reporters after the meeting.

Leaders placed particular emphasis on the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency, where the JD(S) is fielding A.P. Ranganath. They discussed how workers from both parties could campaign for the alliance’s candidate in each constituency and ensure that their supporters vote together.

The BJP is contesting the other three seats. It has fielded S.V. Sankanur from West Graduates, Shashil G. Namoshi from North-East Teachers and K.M. Suresh from South-East Graduates. The alliance wants voters to see all four as joint NDA candidates.

Congress announced its candidates in December. Former Council member Mohan Limbikai will contest West Graduates, Sharanappa Mattur North-East Teachers and Shashi Hulikuntemutt South-East Graduates. It has nominated sitting Council member Puttanna for the Bengaluru Teachers’ seat.

The three BJP candidates and their Congress opponents in the graduates’ and North-East Teachers’ seats belong to the Veerashaiva Lingayat community. Ranganath and Puttanna, who face each other in Bengaluru Teachers, belong to the Vokkaliga community.

The four constituencies comprise two graduates’ seats and two teachers’ seats. Three are currently held by the BJP, while Congress holds Bengaluru Teachers, adding to the stakes for both sides as they organise their campaigns across the state.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman