H Vishwanath to lead JD(S) AHINDA cell

Bengaluru: In a bid to win over the hearts of OBC, minority and SC/ST voters, the JDS state unit has decided to adopt a novel strategy. Instead of setting up of usual OBC cell, the party has decided to set up the AHINDA (Minority, OBC, SC/ST) cell. It can be recalled that Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah used the same tactic to rope into power in the

According to the sources, a decision in this regard has been taken jointly by party national president H D Devegowda and former CM H D Kumaraswamy. Both the leaders have unanimously decided to appoint former minister H Vishwanath as the convenor of this AHINDA cell.

Former MLC H C Niravari, former minister B B Lingaiah and BM Farooq will be the other party leaders who will steer this cell. This cell will hold statewide conventions to attract voters and improve the party vote share in the 2018 assembly election.

Meanwhile party has also decided to hold a peace meeting in Mangalore which is witnessing a series of communal violence. "This is part of party's strategy to ensure that party will strengthen its base in the coastal region," said a leader.