Sri Nagaraj replaces S.R Srinivas

After SR Srinivas resigned from JD(S), the party’S Gubbi candidate is now Sri Nagaraj.

Janata Dal (secular) (JD(S)) leader Sri Nagaraj is to replace Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), S.R. Srinivas, of Gubbi constituency, in the upcoming Karnataka elections after the latter announced that he might join the Congress party.

Veeranna, JD(S) spokesperson said, “Sri Nagaraj will be representing Gubbi constituency for upcoming elections instead of Srinivas.”

According to a report, Srinivas was accused of cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha polls of June 2022 which allegedly contributed to the defeat of the JD(S) candidate, Kupendra Reddy.

Veerana further said, “The party dismissed him (SR Srinivas) last year. Even if he joins Congress, JD(S) is powerful at Gubbi taluk. There are high chances for us to remain in power.”

Aishwarya Mahadev, spokesperson of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (AICC) said, “We didn’t pursue him (S.R. Srinivas) or anyone else, a lot of leaders have moved to our party.”

Several politicians have joined the Congress despite knowing their process and conditions regarding the process of selection.  

She said, “We prioritize our workers and members first and then the newcomers. Also, the joining of any member from other party does not automatically entitle them to a ticket; we do follow our process for selection and ticket distribution.”

“If he joins the party, it will be helpful for the party in Gubbi constituency and the district as he is a prominent leader there,” she added.

She further said that leaders from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are also moving to the Congress party.

Dr. D. Jeevan Kumar, a retired political science professor said, “Migrations from one party to another on the eve of elections have to be understood in the proper perspective. These are politicians who are doing so, after learning that they are not being given party tickets to contest.”

“ Among the reasons for sitting MLAs not being given tickets would be factors like; not abiding by the Party Whip’s directives; not having nursed his constituency well and having incurred the displeasure of the voters there; or having become a liability to the party due to acts of indiscretion of various kinds. Opposition parties tend to welcome such politicians into their fold with a lot of fanfare,” he said.