<p>Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar on Friday denied speculation that he was targeting the JD(S) by luring its leaders. </p>.<p>Shivakumar’s denial came on a day when he met Madhu Bangarappa, who has decided to switch from JD(S) to Congress. </p>.<p>Another JD(S) leader Geetha Shivarajkumar is also in talks to join the Congress. Also, the Congress is said to be wooing the regional party’s leaders R M Manjunath Gowda and Sharada Pooryanaik. All of them are from Shivamogga, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s home district. </p>.<p>Shivakumar told reporters, “I’m not targeting anyone. The JD(S) is a party in itself and they’re doing their work. I’m doing everything I can to strengthen my party. Our goal is to keep the BJP away from power.” </p>.<p>“I have given a call that anyone who accepts the Congress’ ideology and its leadership is welcome,” he added. </p>.<p>On Geetha joining the Congress, Shivakumar said he will have to discuss this with the top brass. “Geetha is no ordinary woman. She belongs to a respected family. I will discuss this with our Delhi leaders because there are processes that need to be followed,” he said.</p>.<p>Geetha is Madhu’s sister, the daughter of former chief minister late S Bangarappa and wife of Kannada actor Shivarajkumar. She had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Shimoga as a JD(S) candidate. </p>
<p>Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar on Friday denied speculation that he was targeting the JD(S) by luring its leaders. </p>.<p>Shivakumar’s denial came on a day when he met Madhu Bangarappa, who has decided to switch from JD(S) to Congress. </p>.<p>Another JD(S) leader Geetha Shivarajkumar is also in talks to join the Congress. Also, the Congress is said to be wooing the regional party’s leaders R M Manjunath Gowda and Sharada Pooryanaik. All of them are from Shivamogga, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s home district. </p>.<p>Shivakumar told reporters, “I’m not targeting anyone. The JD(S) is a party in itself and they’re doing their work. I’m doing everything I can to strengthen my party. Our goal is to keep the BJP away from power.” </p>.<p>“I have given a call that anyone who accepts the Congress’ ideology and its leadership is welcome,” he added. </p>.<p>On Geetha joining the Congress, Shivakumar said he will have to discuss this with the top brass. “Geetha is no ordinary woman. She belongs to a respected family. I will discuss this with our Delhi leaders because there are processes that need to be followed,” he said.</p>.<p>Geetha is Madhu’s sister, the daughter of former chief minister late S Bangarappa and wife of Kannada actor Shivarajkumar. She had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Shimoga as a JD(S) candidate. </p>
