The JD(S) is seen as changing its stand to a more assertive partner

The JD(S) recently fielded its party youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy as the lone NDA candidate from Channapatna, a seat previously held by the regional outfit.

Even before the announcement was made, former BJP man CP Yogeshwar quit the party and joined the Congress to become the candidate for the same seat, which he has held five times in the past.

In a last-ditch attempt at rapprochement, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy had offered Yogeshwar the Channapatna candidacy provided he contested on a JD(S) ticket. Yogeshwar refused and insisted on contesting on a BJP ticket, which was unacceptable to Kumaraswamy and co.

At one point, Kumaraswamy was willing to give up the seat to the BJP but soon realized that the decision would be hugely unpopular with JD(S) workers. Moreover, the regional outfit is wary of conceding too much political space, which would threaten its existence.