<p>The JD(S) is likely to consider entering into a pre-poll alliance with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) for the May 10 Assembly election. </p>.<p>This could be bad news for Congress as AIMIM, backed by JD(S), could eat into Muslim votes.</p>.<p>According to sources, the AIMIM wants to contest from at least 25 Assembly constituencies, especially those that have a significant population of Muslims. Owaisi’s party wants the JD(S) to desist from fielding candidates in these segments. </p>.<p>Muslims account for 13% of Karnataka’s population. </p>.<p>JD(S) legislature party leader H D Kumaraswamy said the party is yet to respond to the pre-poll alliance offer made by the AIMIM.</p>.<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/election/karnataka/with-multiple-ticket-seekers-its-a-tricky-affair-for-bjp-in-40-seats-1207040.html" target="_blank">With multiple ticket seekers, it's a tricky affair for BJP in 40 seats</a></strong></p>.<p>However, sources close to Kumaraswamy told <span class="italic">DH</span> that the “deal is sealed” and an official announcement is in the works.</p>.<p>“We have received the offer. We are yet to respond,” Kumaraswamy told <span class="italic">DH</span>. </p>.<p>AIMIM is mostly looking at segments in the Kalyana Karnataka region.</p>.<p>“In some constituencies, JD(S) does not have eligible candidates. The alliance will help us,” a JD(S) source said. The JD(S) is likely to negotiate with AIMIM for a pre-poll alliance in 10 Assembly segments. </p>.<p>In the 2018 Assembly elections, AIMIM chose not to contest, deciding to support the JD(S) instead. </p>.<p>“AIMIM and JD(S) are the ‘B’ teams of BJP. Owaisi is a vote-breaker. We are confident that our votes will not be disturbed,” Congress leader Mansoor Ali Khan told <span class="italic">DH</span>. </p>.<p>Besides AIMIM, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) wants to contest in 100 Assembly constituencies.</p>.<p>The SDPI, the political arm of the banned PFI, has already announced candidates in 19 constituencies. The SDPI, too, has the potential to split Muslim votes. </p>.<p>However, SDPI state president Abdul Majeed said his party had no intention to disturb anybody’s vote-bank.</p>.<p>“We’ve announced candidates for 19 constituencies. The names of another 54 will be released soon. In all, we will contest 100 seats. We strongly believe that people who are looking for a change will opt for SDPI,” he said. </p>
<p>The JD(S) is likely to consider entering into a pre-poll alliance with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) for the May 10 Assembly election. </p>.<p>This could be bad news for Congress as AIMIM, backed by JD(S), could eat into Muslim votes.</p>.<p>According to sources, the AIMIM wants to contest from at least 25 Assembly constituencies, especially those that have a significant population of Muslims. Owaisi’s party wants the JD(S) to desist from fielding candidates in these segments. </p>.<p>Muslims account for 13% of Karnataka’s population. </p>.<p>JD(S) legislature party leader H D Kumaraswamy said the party is yet to respond to the pre-poll alliance offer made by the AIMIM.</p>.<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/election/karnataka/with-multiple-ticket-seekers-its-a-tricky-affair-for-bjp-in-40-seats-1207040.html" target="_blank">With multiple ticket seekers, it's a tricky affair for BJP in 40 seats</a></strong></p>.<p>However, sources close to Kumaraswamy told <span class="italic">DH</span> that the “deal is sealed” and an official announcement is in the works.</p>.<p>“We have received the offer. We are yet to respond,” Kumaraswamy told <span class="italic">DH</span>. </p>.<p>AIMIM is mostly looking at segments in the Kalyana Karnataka region.</p>.<p>“In some constituencies, JD(S) does not have eligible candidates. The alliance will help us,” a JD(S) source said. The JD(S) is likely to negotiate with AIMIM for a pre-poll alliance in 10 Assembly segments. </p>.<p>In the 2018 Assembly elections, AIMIM chose not to contest, deciding to support the JD(S) instead. </p>.<p>“AIMIM and JD(S) are the ‘B’ teams of BJP. Owaisi is a vote-breaker. We are confident that our votes will not be disturbed,” Congress leader Mansoor Ali Khan told <span class="italic">DH</span>. </p>.<p>Besides AIMIM, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) wants to contest in 100 Assembly constituencies.</p>.<p>The SDPI, the political arm of the banned PFI, has already announced candidates in 19 constituencies. The SDPI, too, has the potential to split Muslim votes. </p>.<p>However, SDPI state president Abdul Majeed said his party had no intention to disturb anybody’s vote-bank.</p>.<p>“We’ve announced candidates for 19 constituencies. The names of another 54 will be released soon. In all, we will contest 100 seats. We strongly believe that people who are looking for a change will opt for SDPI,” he said. </p>
