Mysuru: With the Assembly elections round the corner, the JD(S) which is hoping to come to power on its own, is luring prominent leaders of the ruling Congress to its fold.

As part of its poll strategy, the JD(S) is in talks with Congress leader from N.R. Constituency Abdullah, who is said to be disgruntled with the party, to bring him into the party fold ahead of the Assembly polls.

JD(S) State President and former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy, who arrived in city from Madikeri on Wednesday night, is said to have met Abdulla, a resident of Bannimantap, at a hotel near Highway Circle in the city on Thursday morning and held talks with him for nearly an hour.

Former Mayor M.J. Ravi Kumar and city JD(S) President K.T. Cheluvegowda were present during meeting.

Following the talks, Abdulla, who is disenchanted with the Congress for not giving him any post, is almost certain to join the JD(S) on Feb.17 at Bengaluru, where JD(S) Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda and BSP Supremo Mayawati are to address a rally.

Once Abdulla joins the party, the JD(S) is likely to field him from N.R. Constituency to take on Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait, who is all set to contest again on a Congress ticket in the forthcoming Assembly polls.