Mysuru: Coalition candidate from Mysuru-Kodagu LS seat C.H. Vijayashankar, conducted a joint campaign with both Congress and JD(S) leaders at various wards of Krishnaraja (KR) Assembly segment yesterday.

The campaign was launched after performing special pujas at Kolluru Mahalakshmi Temple near Banumaiah Chowk in city.

He conducted the road show on an open jeep, which passed through Narayana Shastri Road, Chamaraja Double Road,  Kakarawadi, Sunnadakeri, Hullinabeedhi, Bandikeri, Kanakagiri, Gowrishankara Nagar and other areas.

He was accompanied by former MLA M.K. Somashekhar, Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath, MLC R. Dharmasena, City Congress President R. Murthy, Congress leaders H.A. Venkatesh, Nandakumar, Srinathbabu, G.Somashekhar and Basavarajanaik, JD(S) leaders M.K. Ashok, former Corporator K.V. Mallesh, Prakash Priyadarshan, Satya, Girish, Yadunandan, Radhakrishna,  Deepak and others.

However, District Minister  G.T. Devegowda (GTD) continued to be conspicuous by his absence.  

Speaking on the occasion, Vijayashankar said that he had begun the campaign after seeking the blessings of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.  He said that he had met H.D. Deve Gowda who has promised to campaign for him in city for a day.

The unity of the coalition partners was inevitable in the interest of the country, he said and added that the coalition government in the State had to continue in power and more importantly, the same spirit of coalition and cooperation was what would help bring power at the Centre and dislodge the NDA government.

Continuing, he said that there are some confusions and minor differences between local Congress and JD(S) leaders which will be solved soon, he added. He said that he had also visited the house of District Minister G.T. Devegowda, but as he was not available. “But I discussed with GTD’s wife seeking her family’s co-operation.”

He said that he was very close to GTD and he hoped that GTD would take part in the campaign in coming days.

Election officials and Video Surveillance Team accompanied the campaigners during the road show to check poll violations.