Hubballi: State JD(S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy said that he will announce a list of 120 candidates for the next Assembly elections in February. Stating that this will help party workers to prepare well in advance for the elections, he expressed confidence that JD(S) will seize power by winning at least 40 to 45 seats in North Karnataka.

Maintaining that the party had lost several Assembly seats in many districts by a slender margin in previous elections owing to confusion among party leaders in the region, he said that any differences in the party will be resolved soon.

Inaugurating the party office in Bagalkot, the former CM termed the JD(S) as a ‘factory to generate leaders’ and said many of them have deserted the party to join Congress and BJP. Several such leaders will be brought back to the party to strengthen JD(S) in districts where the party has no strength.

Mr Kumaraswamy declared that he will put in more efforts to ensure a majority for the party in the next elections by touring every part of North Karnataka.

"Congress and BJP leaders are indulging in a blame game over waiver of crop loans though farmers are reeling because of mounting debt due to failure of the monsoon. It is not possible to ensure growth of the state under governments run by these national parties. Party workers should work hard to convince people about the significance of regional parties before the next Assembly elections. We will approach every voter based on the pro-poor programmes launched by the JD(S) government during its 20 month rule", Mr Kumaraswamy said.

The JD(S) chief felt issues like Porngate involving minister Tanveer Sait should no be allowed to shadow genuine problems confronting farmers during the debate. The party will give priority to the discussion on Mahadayi water dispute. Lamenting that the Assembly elections in Goa had delayed a dialogue on the dispute, he said the Prime Minister should intervene to resolve the issue after the polls.