The AIMIM today announced its decision to back the JD(S), led by former prime minister HD Deve Gowda , in the May 12 Karnataka Assembly elections.The party president Asaduddin Owaisi said it has decided to support the JD(S) after "due consideration and consultations".Earlier, the party hinted at fielding its own candidates in the polls. "All our efforts and endeavour would be to ensure that the JDS g gets maximum number of seats. (HD) Kumaraswamy should become the chief minister and the party led by Deve Gowda should be ruling Karnataka," Owaisi said.Kumaraswamy is son of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, and is the president of Karnataka unit of Janata Dal (Secular).According to Owaisi, his party feels that both the national parties, the BJP and Congress, have failed to live up to the expectations and hope of the people of Karnataka and that's why they have decided to support the JD(S) completely. "We will not be putting up our candidates," Owaisi said, adding that he has already spoken to Kumaraswamy and assured him about his party's support to the JD(S).He said his party members, including him, would go out and address public meetings to garner support for the JD(S) in the upcoming elections. "I hope people of Karnataka would once again repose faith in the JDS so that a qualitative change can be brought in Karnataka.

Source: Economic Times April 16, 2018 08:37 UTC