H. D. Kumaraswami says JD(S) may support UPA

Bangalore, May 16 (ANI): Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday said his party JD(S) has an "open mind" if UPA seeks its support.

"So far, we have not decided on anything. UPA has not sought our support. If UPA seeks it, we have an open mind," JD(S) Karnataka unit President Kumaraswamy said.

Kumaraswami's recent meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi had given rise to speculations of another crack in the Third Front.

Kumaraswamy, who won Bangalore rural Lok Sabha seat with a huge margin of over one lakh votes, said "at this stage, it looks like that the UPA does not require the support of smaller parties."

On the question of the discussions he had with Sonia Gandhi, Kumaraswamy said "now it is all irrelevant under the circumstances".My first enemy is BJP. If UPA seeks my cooperation to scuttle the growth of BJP, I am willing to extend cooperation," he said.

Kumaraswami criticized the BJP for misusing the official machinery and flow of money to lure voters.

"I had expected my party to win at least six seats. But due to tacit understanding between Janata Parivar leaders who are in Congress with BJP, we could win only three," Kumaraswamy said.

The BJP managed to win 19 seats out of 18 seats in Karnataka. (ANI)