Kumaraswamy: No Chance Of JD(S) Joining Any Mahagathbandhan

During a press conference in Bengaluru, Janata Dal (Secular) second-in-command and former Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy expressed his belief that the opposition parties have never truly embraced his regional party as part of their own.

His comments came ahead of a significant opposition meeting scheduled to take place in the city today.

In response to a query about the JD(S) joining the "mahagathbandhan", he said that "the opposition has never considered the JD(S) as part of their alliance."

"Therefore, there is no possibility of the JD(S) being involved in any Mahagathbandhan," Kumaraswamy added.

Addressing rumours of a potential alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the JD(S) before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he clarified that no invitation from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, has been received by the JD(S) yet.

“The NDA has not invited our party for any meeting. We will see on that front,” he said.

In response to Kumaraswamy's statement, Dinesh Gundu Rao, a Karnataka Congress leader, said that the JD(S) has always had alliances with the BJP in the past, making this nothing new.

Rao also suggested that the JD(S) should abandon the tag of Janata Dal (Secular) and accept that they are willing to do anything for the sake of power.

He accused them of lacking principles and ideology, with power being their sole concern. Rao predicted that this would have a significant impact on the JD(S) in Karnataka, potentially leading to its demise.

There have been recent hints from leaders of both the BJP and the JD(S) about a potential understanding between the parties before the Lok Sabha polls.

Former CM B S Yediyurappa, has previously stated that the two parties would 'join forces' to challenge the Congress government in Karnataka.

Basavaraj Bommai from the BJP also hinted at ongoing discussions, stating that Kumaraswamy has expressed certain sentiments and talks will continue in that direction.