Shillong, September 8: In a significant development, the BJP and JD(S) are currently engaged in final discussions about forming an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha election to challenge the Congress in Karnataka, according to reliable sources.
IANS reported that sources confirmed that former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Deve Gowda recently held confidential meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J.P. Nadda to discuss this potential alliance.
Reports suggest that JD(S) is seeking five out of the 28 parliamentary seats in Karnataka, while the BJP is negotiating for four seats. JD(S) has expressed its interest in contesting from Hassan, Mandya, Kolar, Tumakuru, and Bengaluru Rural constituencies. Notably, Hassan was represented by Deve Gowda’s grandson, Prajwal Revanna, who was recently disqualified by the Karnataka High Court for concealing property information from the Election Commission of India.
Mandya is considered a stronghold for JD(S), but the BJP is backing the incumbent MP, Sumalatha Ambareesh, who won as an independent candidate. She has supported the BJP on key issues, and there are indications that the BJP may retain the Mandya seat and field Sumalatha Ambareesh as its candidate.
Bengaluru Rural is currently represented by D.K. Suresh, the brother of Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, who is striving to become the face of the Vokkaliga community. This influential community in southern Karnataka has traditionally supported Deve Gowda and JD(S). However, Shivakumar made significant inroads into the Vokkaliga vote bank in the last Assembly elections.
Both the BJP and JD(S) are reportedly aware of the Congress government’s strong position in the state. They fear that contesting separately might result in the Congress winning most seats. Additionally, both parties are concerned about the Congress’s aggressive “Operation Hast” campaign.
Deve Gowda’s concerns about his son, former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy’s health following a major heart surgery, are also taken into account in these discussions.
Sources indicate that JD(S) may be willing to yield the Mandya seat to the BJP, even if it’s seen as a setback.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly informed about the alliance discussions and has given his approval for the partnership.
The Congress, riding high on its victory in the Assembly elections and the implementation of welfare schemes, aims to secure 20 out of 28 parliamentary seats in the upcoming election.