Bengaluru: JD(S) State president H.D. Kumaraswamy has stated that his party’s decision not to field candidates for the Nanjangud and Gundlupet by elections helped the Congress win the seats, adding that had they contested in the same, the BJP would have benefited from the same.

Further he contended that the by-poll results would have no bearing on the upcoming 2018 Assembly elections.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said, “There is no reason for the BJP to get disillusioned and the Congress to celebrate. The by election outcome is neither an indicator to the Assembly election results as earlier claimed by BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa nor a yardstick of the performance of the Congress government as reflected by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.”

Meanwhile, with the Assembly elections slated to take place next year the party has begun its preparations and has reportedly hired a helicopter as well as a airplane so that its leaders can easily tour the state for campaigning reasons.