BANGALORE: The JD(S) will maintain equi-distance from the Congress and BJP in the Bellary rural byelection - a stand that is electorally convenient to support former minister B Sriramulu. Party sources told Express that though Bellary district unit of the JD(S) had mounted pressure on the state leadership to field a candidate in the long-term interest of the party, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda is understood to be against it. "The argument of the Bellary district leaders is that the absence of the party candidate will disappoint the cadre and are likely to go astray but our leader has a political calculation," a top leader said, requesting anonymity. According to sources, the leadership will reiterate the party’s statement of maintaining equi-distance from both the Congress and BJP, though the party has allied with the two in the past. "There is only a convenience (in not fielding the candidate). We ought to contest, no matter whether we lose or win," another leader added. Gowda is expected to pronounce the party’s stand on Thursday. “The Bellary district leaders are still persuading Gowda to reconsider his decision,” sources added.
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