Tie-up: Kumaraswamy to visit Delhi today to meet BJP leadership

NT Correspondent

Ramanagara: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said he will be travelling to New Delhi on September 21 to meet BJP central leadership to discuss the possible alliance between both parties in Karnataka for 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Dismissing media reports on seat sharing talks between JDS and BJP as mere speculations, he said so far no parleys have taken place in this regard.

The former CM also underscored the need for strong opposition against the Congress government that has come to power in the state and said discussions will be directed at this.

"I'm going to Delhi in the morning. I will be meeting the central government's (BJP) high command tomorrow," Kumaraswamy told reporters in the morning.

Ruling out the possibility of him contesting in the Lok Sabha polls, he said people of Channapatna constituency have voted for him and that he would remain there for the people.

Later in the day, speaking to media persons, Kumaraswamy said there is a meeting tomorrow. "after discussions in the meeting, its outcome will be known. All media reports are mere speculation. There has been no discussion regarding seat sharing or other things."

Talks on alliance between both parties have been in the headlines ever since veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, who is also the party's parliamentary board member, had earlier this month said his party will have an understanding with JD(S) for the Parliament elections, and that the regional party will contest in four LS seats in Karnataka, which has a total of 28 constituencies.

However, Yediyurappa subsequently said a final decision has not been taken as PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who are busy with other responsibilities, may discuss and decide on the issue in a few days. Responding to a question on secular stand of JD(S), Kumaraswamy said his party respects all communities.

"If there are talks on an alliance, the subject of alliance is different from the stand of the party, on which there will be no compromise. It is the responsibility of our party to respect all communities," he said.