INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
BENGALURU: A section of the BJP leadership is in favour of the appointment of former chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy as
leader of the joint legislature parties of BJP and JD(S) to lead the opposition in the Karnataka assembly
But, a significant section has strongly opposed it, leading to the delay in the appointment of BJP's legislature party leader, who would
automatically be opposition leader
Commenting on the political developments, former PM Deve Gowda said , "Let BJP high command address the above issues before offering
anything to us." However, BJP state general secretary N Ravikumar said: "We have got to know that our party leadership has already invited
willing to forge a pre-poll alliance for the Lok Sabha elections
However, the ongoing negotiations between the parties, including discussions on local leadership, have led to a delay in making a formal
announcement.Strengthening the NDA by including new parties like JD(S) is critical for BJP, which is eyeing a third successive term after
its exceptional performance in 2019, when it won with a huge majority of 303 seats
Karnataka is seen to be among the most important states as it has won 25 out of 28 seats, and it would be a tough challenge to repeat the
feat, especially since more than 15 MPs are reportedly opting out of the contest, forcing the party to scout for new faces for those
constituencies.JD(S) is also in need of a formidable alliance as it is struggling to recover from the debilitating defeat in the assembly
It has displayed a willingness to join forces with BJP, sespite the fact that their previous alliance with Congress was unsuccessful in the
It also risks losing its secular credentials if it aligns with the saffron party
One of themain bargains between BJP and JD(S) is seat sharing for LS polls
Chikkaballapur and Chamarajnanagar.A section of BJP has suggested a merger of JD(S) and the saffron party, which the regional party has
Another significant issue that is delaying the alliance is the candidature of the leader of the opposition in the state legislative
