No Discussion On Seat Sharing: HD Kumaraswamy On BJP-JDS Alliance

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that his party has not had any discussion with the BJP over the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

BJP will have an understanding with former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda led JD(S) for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Friday, an announcement that shot up political temperature in the State.

Responding to Lingayat strongman B S Yediyurappa's comment that the the BJP has agreed to give four Lok Sabha seats to the JDS, Kumaraswamy said, that it is his "personal reaction."

"Until now, there has been no discussion on seat sharing or anything. We have met cordially 2 or 3 times. Later on, let us see what is going to happen... We are coming together and having a discussion to go before the people... People need it because Congress is looting the state. People need alternatives... I joined hands with the BJP in 2006. My goodwill was created because of my 20 months of administration," the former CM added.

"BJP and JD(S) will have an understanding. Amit Shah (Union Home Minister) has agreed to give four Lok Sabha seats," to the JD(S))," four-time Chief Minister Yediyurappa said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "this has given us great strength and this will help us in winning 25 or 26 Lok Sabha seats together."

The BJP swept the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka by winning 25 seats, while an independent backed by it won in one seat. The Congress and JD(S) emerged victorious in one seat each.

As per the reports, JDS wanted to contest from Mandya, Hassan, Tumakkuru, Chickballapur and Bengaluru Rural. However, the saffron party agreed to let it contest on four seats -- Kolar, Hassan, Mandya and Bengaluru rural.