'The Alliance In My View Doesn't Exist': Karnataka JD(S) Chief Over Alliance With BJP

Karnataka Janata Dal (Secular) President CM Ibrahim has expressed his dissatisfaction with not being consulted before the party entered into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has indicated that he is keeping his options open.

Disregarding the alliance with the BJP, Ibrahim pointed out that despite being the elected state chief, he was not consulted before the party collaborated with the BJP.

He stated, "I have kept my options open." However, he clarified that he wouldn't abruptly leave the party as he holds the position of an elected president. Ibrahim emphasized that the alliance, in his view, does not exist. "Just because they met in Delhi doesn't mean there's an alliance." said the JD(S) leader as quoted by India Today.

Commenting on HD Kumaraswamy and Devegowda, Ibrahim said, "HD Kumaraswamy is like a younger brother to me and Devegowda is my father figure and I respect them... I am hurt that Kumaraswamy met with Amit Shah. Any decision of a party is taken by the Party President... Deve Gowda's leadership is the oldest in India. BJP should have come to Deve Gowda...I am hurt that Deve Gowda had to go to BJP... Kumaraswamy said that he has not told somethings to the President. Nothing should be hidden in politics." as quoted by ANI.

Ibrahim also stated that he intends to exercise his authority as a state president.

According to sources, JD(S) will convene a meeting chaired by state chief CM Ibrahim on 16 October to decide on their next course of action.

Since the alliance with the BJP, there has been a notable departure of JD(S) leaders. Several minority leaders from Mysuru, including former party Vice President Syed Shafi Ulla, have resigned en masse.

Last week, the Janata Dal (Secular) joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and allied with the saffron party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, aiming to challenge the Congress in Karnataka. The two parties are expected to announce their seat-sharing arrangement after the Dussehra festival next month.

The BJP has expressed that this alliance will boost its prospects in the Lok Sabha polls and strengthen the NDA, particularly after the party's defeat by the Congress in the May Assembly polls, which led to the loss of its only southern stronghold.

As the BJP seeks to reconfigure its electoral strategy in various states ahead of both the upcoming Assembly polls in five states and the next general election, the JD(S), headed by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, officially announced its entry into the NDA. It asserted that it has partnered with the BJP to challenge the Congress in Karnataka during the Lok Sabha polls.

Earlier on Thursday, former JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy asserted that they kept the party's state president C M Ibrahim in the loop throughout the decision further requesting Muslim leaders to be more understanding. Over questions on the resignation of several Muslim leaders Kumaraswamy said, "After the alliance announcement Ibrahim is not in touch with us."

The alliance was formalized following a 45-minute meeting between JD(S) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J P Nadda at Shah's residence in the national capital.