BJP-JD(S) ties: Former Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday (July 16) hinted at having discussions with the JD(S) regarding its induction in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), ahead of the Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year.
He said that the results of the discussions will determine future political developments. This comes weeks after nine NCP MLAs including its top leader Ajit Pawar effected a vertical split in his party and joined the Maharashtra government earlier this month.
"That is for the discussion between our leadership and JD(S) President H D Deve Gowda," Bommai said when asked about the possibility of JD(S) joining NDA.
The BJP leader said that JD(S) leader and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy has expressed his feelings and the discussions will take place in this regard.
"The future political developments will be based on the result of those discussions," Bommai said.
Indications of alliance?
The recent past has shown sufficient indications from the leaders of both parties BJP and JD(S) regarding them coming to an understanding ahead of the next year’s elections.
BJP veteran and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa had said his party and the JD(S) would fight the Congress government in the state together.
Kumaraswamy, in turn, had said that a decision in this regard will be taken when comes the situation.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had swept in Karnataka by winning 25 of the total 28 seats, while an independent the party backed won in one seat. Congress and JD(S) had won one seat each.
Talking about the appointment of Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, Bommai said that it would most probably be done after July 18.
The BJP, the principal opposition in the state, is yet to appoint a Leader of Opposition in the Assembly even after two weeks into the commencement of the legislature session.
The party is facing criticism from various sections for the delay, including the ruling Congress in the state.
To a question about reports that senior BJP leader and former Minister V Somanna will be joining Congress, he termed them mere speculations.
(With PTI inputs)
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