The Janata Dal-Secular will begin campaigning for the Karnataka assembly election on January 18.

Party chief H D Deve Gowda said the campaign will commence at Kolar district after special prayers. Gowda will have to take on the mantle of the campaign at least in the earlier half as his son and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy is recovering after undergoing a heart surgery. Kumaraswamy has been advised at least a month's rest.

Gowda said the campaign will be held in three phases and he will be participate in all three. He also said that a national executive committee meeting of the party will be held in February to take stock of the developments.

Gowda also handed out an ultimatum to those persons who were planning to leave the party. Terming them as fence sitters, he said the sooner they leave the better it was for the party.