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Kumaraswamy rules out formal JDS-BJP pact but gives free hand to local leaders

The JDS is contesting from only six seats in the K'taka legislative council elections

narendra-modi-devegowda-sourced A recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and JDS chief H.D. Deve Gowda | Sourced image

Putting an end to speculations over a BJP-JDS pact ahead of the legislative council elections in Karnataka, former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, on Tuesday, ruled out any alliance with the BJP and reiterated that his party's only focus was the 2023 Assembly polls.

“We are contesting from six seats, where there will be a triangular contest. We will go all out to fight the two national parties,” said Kumaraswamy. “In the remaining 19 seats, the party has asked the local JDS leaders to take a call keeping in mind the future and best interest of the party.

“Our aim is to contest from all 224 seats in 2023, and our target is 123. Our local leaders will decide on whether or not to support any party in the MLC polls, without upsetting the party's future prospects.”

The Janata Dal (Secular) has fielded candidates only in Kolar, Hassan, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Mandya and Bengaluru Rural, citing financial constraints. The biennial election to the 75-seat Karnataka Legislative Council will be held for 25 seats on December 10 due to the retirement of sitting members.

Admitting that the JDS decision to contest from only six seats had led to speculations over its possible alliance with the BJP, Kumaraswamy said the saffron party had not officially approached him regarding the alliance, though former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa had sought his support in the constituencies where the JDS had opted out of the contest.

[File] H.D. Kumaraswamy | Bhanu Prakash Chandra [File] H.D. Kumaraswamy | Bhanu Prakash Chandra

“Yediyurappa had sought our support. He had even called me. But the BJP did not approach me. In fact, Yediyurappa gave a rejoinder saying he had sought support only for the 19 seats and it was confined to this election alone and was not meant to be an alliance,” said Kumaraswamy.

“Even the chief minister (Bommai) had stated it would be a decision taken by Yediyurappa and Kumaraswamy. But as a political party with plans to contest 224 seats in 2023, we have decided not to have any alliance.

“I also appreciate Yediyurappa's political maturity in seeking our support. The JDS support is decisive in many constituencies like Raichur, Kalaburagi Yadgir, Chitradurga, Shivamogga, Chikkamagalur and Bengaluru urban.”

Slamming the Congress party for calling the JDS as the “B team” of the BJP, Kumaraswamy said the Congress has been chanting the same slogan since 2018.

“The Congress leaders call us the B-team around every election. They added a new slogan that JDS is JDF, a family party. The CLP leader (Siddaramaiah) claims he does not want to talk about the JDS, saying it is confined to only 4-5 districts. But again, he calls us the B-team. They accuse us of having a secret pact with the BJP. They should stop repeating themselves as it only displays their petty politics,” said Kumaraswamy.

Last week, H.D. Deve Gowda's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi had triggered speculations over the BJP-JDS alliance ahead of the MLC polls. Gowda, who denied having discussed the alliance, however indicated that his son (Kumaraswamy) and Yediyurappa would take a call on the issue.

The meeting evoked a strong reaction from the Congress party. CLP leader Siddaramaiah accused Deve Gowda of practising "opportunistic politics".

“Why did Deve Gowda not speak out when the BJP government in Karnataka brought the anti-cow slaughter law? He gets angry if I say JDS practises politics of convenience. But now, there is little doubt that JDS is indeed the B-team of BJP,” said Siddaramaiah.

The ruling BJP which is presently the single largest party with 32 members is hoping to attain majority in the 75-member legislative council.

Meanwhile, the JD(S) which holds the position of Speaker in the council with the saffron party's support, has selectively extended support to the BJP in the passage of crucial laws.

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