Madhu is JD(S) nominee from Shimoga

JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Monday announced former MLA Madhu Bangarappa as his party’s candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency. He is the first candidate announced by the coalition partners, who are still discussing seat-sharing.

“Shimoga Lok Sabha seat has been allotted to the JD(S). Madhu Bangarappa will be the candidate. The Congress leaders too feel that he is an able candidate for Shimoga,” he told reporters after meeting Bangarappa at the latter’s Sadashivanagar residence.

Gowda said that he had personally come and met Bangarappa as he had distanced himself from the party after losing the Shimoga bypoll last year.

“He was upset and inactive after his defeat in the Shimoga bypoll. I have met him and spoken to him. I have advised him not to be saddened by the defeat and that we are with him,” Gowda said.

During the bypoll held in November 2018, the JD(S) had announced Bangarappa’s candidature in the last minute, which was counter-productive for the party.

“We lost by a small margin. We are analysing the defeat. We take complete responsibility for the defeat,” added Gowda.

The Shimoga Lok Sabha seat is presently held by B Y Raghavendra, son of BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa.