Mysuru:  Even before the Congress is to announce its list of candidates for Lok Sabha seats from the State, former MP and Congress leader C.H. Vijayashankar, who is the most likely nominee of the Congress for the Mysuru-Kodagu LS seat, meet Tourism Minister S.R. Mahesh at the latter’s residence in Chamaraja Mohalla here yesterday.

During the meeting, the two are said to have discussed campaign issues in the backdrop of the ‘coalition dharma’ between the Congress and JD(S).

Speaking after the meeting, Vijayashankar said the coalition Government was formed ten months ago to keep the BJP out of power and now with the countdown for the LS polls having already begun the ‘coalition dharma’ must be strictly followed by the two parties.

Claiming that JD(S) Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda has assured Congress President Rahul Gandhi of winning the Mysuru seat, the former MP said that the Congress and JD(S) will hold a joint meeting shortly, during which the poll strategy will be discussed in detail.

He maintained that H.D. Deve Gowda, Chief Minister H.D.Kumaraswamy and CLP leader Siddharamaiah will campaign for him.

Former MLA H.P. Manjunath, City Congress President R. Murthy, District Congress President Dr. B.J. Vijaykumar and others were present.

Tourism Minister S.R. Mahesh of the JD(S), speaking to press persons after the meeting, said that disciplinary action will be taken against party legislators, leaders and workers who do not follow the ‘coalition dharma’, agreed to between the two parties. Stating that workers of  both the JD(S) and Congress should adhere to ‘coalition dharma’, the Minister cautioned the workers that they would be held responsible for any decline in the vote percentage of the coalition candidate.

Replying to a question on reports of Congress leaders from K.R. Nagar supporting actress Sumalatha who is contesting from Mandya, Mahesh said the matter has been brought to the notice of the party high command and CLP leader Siddharamaiah too has assured of instructing the congress workers against campaigning for Sumalatha.