By BD Narayankar Bengaluru, Mar 17 (Reporter) The political landscape in Karnataka is undergoing a significant transformation with the formation of an alliance between the BJP and JDS. Led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, the JDS traditionally holds influence in the old Mysuru region. This alliance marks a strategic move by the JDS to counter the Congress' dominance in the region and consolidate Vokkaliga votes, leveraging Prime Minister Modi's popularity. The old Mysuru region, where the JDS has a strong presence, is poised to witness intense political competition, as the BJP-JDS alliance aims to challenge the Congress' hold. The success of this alliance depends on effective coordination among local leaders and the seamless transfer of votes between the two parties. Past distrust between workers and leaders proved detrimental to the Congress-JDS alliance in previous elections, highlighting the importance of overcoming such challenges for the alliance's success. Meanwhile, the Congress is striving to solidify its position in the old Mysuru region, relying on strong leadership figures like Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and State Party President DK Shivakumar, both of whom hail from the area. Additionally, the party is banking on its five guarantee schemes to appeal to voters. Although in the 2019 parliamentary elections, the Congress and JDS managed to secure only one seat each in Karnataka, their victories came from the old Mysuru region, indicating their stronghold in the area. Sources suggest that the JDS is likely to be allocated to key constituencies such as Hassan, Mandya, and Kolar in the region, reflecting the core support base of the party. Both the Congress and BJP have announced their candidates for certain seats in the region, emphasizing local ties and strategic appeal. The Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka are scheduled to be held in two phases on April 26 and May 7, allowing ample time for campaigning and strategic maneuvering for all parties involved...////...