Bengaluru: Janata Dal (Secular) has decided to organize five rallies in Shivamogga, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Bidar and Belagavi districts from February 23 to 28 in the state. Backward Classes leaders of JD(S), including PGR Sindhia, A H Vishwanath, Madhu Bangarappa and Bandappa Kashampur will attend these rallies.

The JD(S) plans to release the first list of candidates contesting in 130 constituencies on February 17 at a rally organised in Bengaluru, to be attended by BSP supremo Mayawati. In a pre-poll alliance, BSP is set to contest from 20 seats, while the rest will be contested by JD(S).

The party has already promised to create two Deputy Chief Ministers’ posts — one for minority and another for Dalit.

A senior leader said that JD(S) is trying to win over Dalits by focusing on Dalit Chief Minister issue, which is expected to be highlighted by Ms. Mayawati.

According to Vishwanath, both Congress and BJP have betrayed the OBCs. “Though Bharatiya Janata Party leader K.S. Eshwarappa tried to consolidate OBCs by launching the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, the Central leadership successfully foiled his attempt with a view to protect its grand Hindutva agenda,” he said.

Party patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda and State president H.D. Kumaraswamy, who have toured 224 constituencies, have decided to focus on 130 winnable constituencies.