BJP determined to contest Hiriyur bypoll, Ashoka confident of persuading JD(S)

Bengaluru, Nov 15 (UNI) The BJP has staked its claim to the Hiriyur Assembly seat ahead of the by-election, with senior party leader and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka expressing confidence that the party would persuade its NDA ally JD(S) to concede the constituency. Making the BJP's position clear, Ashoka said the state unit had decided that the party should contest the seat and that he would personally take up the matter with JD(S) leader and union Minister H D Kumaraswamy. "I will speak to Kumaraswamy. I am confident that our central leaders will convince them and ensure that the…