While Lingayats Bommai and Shettar are from BJP, Kumaraswamy — a Vokkaliga — is the JD(S) state president.
From left: Basavaraj Bommai, Jagadish Shettar, and HD Kumaraswamy. (Supplied)
Three former Chief Ministers from NDA — Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri), Jagadish Shettar (Belgaum), and HD Kumaraswamy (Mandya) — are in the Lok Sabha race in Karnataka. While Bommai and Shettar — both Lingayats — are from BJP, Kumaraswamy — a Vokkaliga — is the JD(S) state president. Of the total 28 Lok Sabha seats, BJP is contesting in 25 and JD(S) in three.