BJP won 25 seats out of total 28 seats in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections in Karnataka. (file)
Hubballi (Karnataka):
Veteran BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday hinted at talks about the JD(S) joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The former chief minister said the outcome of the talks would determine future political progress.
“This is for discussion between our leadership and JD(S) president HD Deve Gowda,” Mr. Bommai said in response to a question about the possibility of JD(S) joining the NDA.
Talking to reporters here, he said that JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has expressed some sentiments and discussions will continue in that direction.
“Future political progress will be based on the outcome of these discussions,” he added.
Recently, there have been ample indications from BJP and JD(S) leaders that both the parties are coming to an accord ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa said his party and the JD(S) will fight the Congress government in the state together.
Mr. Kumaraswamy, on his part, said that a decision on the electoral understanding for the Lok Sabha elections would be taken if the situation arose.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, the BJP won 25 of the total 28 seats in the state, while an independent party supported by it won one seat. Congress and JD(S) won one seat each.
Responding to a question on the appointment of Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, Mr. Bommai said, “Yes, the appointment has not taken place…maybe it will be after July 18.”
Even two weeks after the start of the assembly session, the BJP, which is the main opposition party in the state, is yet to appoint a leader of opposition in the assembly. The party has been facing criticism from various quarters, including the state’s ruling Congress, for the delay.
To a question about reports of veteran BJP leader and former minister V Somanna joining the Congress, he said these are mere speculations.
When asked about the possibility of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi coming to the state to launch the “Griha Lakshmi” scheme – an electoral guarantee of the government, which promises to pay Rs 2,000 per month to the head of the family, Mr Bommai said, “Let her come, but the scheme has been circumvented, and That’s why its rollout has been repeatedly postponed.”
“Still there is no clarity on the procedure. They say Aadhaar card is required, banks require passbook… It is being implemented to less beneficiaries for a short period of time. On August 16 (roll out) women are expected to face a huge disillusionment.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)