The JD(S), now an alliance partner in BJP-led NDA, is looking to contest in 4 out of 28 seats in Karnataka in upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
HD Kumaraswamy and HD Deve Gowda meet PM Modi. (Narendramodi/ X)
Former prime minister and Janata Dal Secular (JDS) patriarch HD Deve Gowda, along with his son and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 21 December.
The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of both parties officially beginning the process of seat-sharing discussions for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024.
JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy, on Wednesday, 20 December, left for New Delhi, setting political circles abuzz with speculations that he is likely to hold talks with the BJP central leadership on seat-sharing in Karnataka.
JD(S), now an alliance partner in BJP-led NDA, wants to contest at least four out of 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in the State.
Sharing the photos of the meeting, Prime Minister Modi tweeted on X, “Always a delight to meet former PM Shri HD Deve Gowda Ji, Shri HD Kumaraswamy Ji, and Shri HD Revanna Ji.”
He further wrote, “India greatly cherishes Deve Gowda Ji’s exemplary contribution to the nation’s progress. His thoughts on diverse policy matters are insightful and futuristic.”
Always a delight to meet former PM Shri @H_D_Devegowda Ji, Shri @hd_kumaraswamy Ji and Shri HD Revanna Ji.
India greatly cherishes Deve Gowda Ji’s exemplary contribution to the nation’s progress. His thoughts on diverse policy matters are insightful and futuristic. pic.twitter.com/Xa3YImOLYz
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 21, 2023
The JD(S) joined the BJP-led NDA in September after HD Kumaraswamy had met with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda in New Delhi. JD(S)’s decision to join hands with BJP came after its abysmal performance in the May 2023 Karnataka assembly elections.
Leaders of both parties have since been maintaining that talks are yet to take place on seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls.
Though Kumaraswamy said he was going to Delhi on personal work, his nephew, and JD(S) Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna indicated about JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Thursday, 21 December.
Though Gowda and Kumaraswamy are yet to officially hold talks with the BJP central leadership over seat-sharing, preliminary discussions have been going on for months.
The duo has reportedly held talks with BJP parliamentary board member and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa in this regard.
“No seat-sharing talks…is my trip to Delhi also special? There is nothing special in the Delhi trip, I’m going on personal work…there is nothing, I will come back to talk to you,” Kumaraswamy told reporters at the airport, before leaving for the national capital on Wednesday.
According to JD(S) sources, Kumaraswamy is likely to meet the BJP leadership to take the alliance forward and discuss seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls.
Meanwhile, state BJP President BY Vijayendra, also travelling to Delhi, added to speculation about seat-sharing talks. Vijayendra said he was going to the national capital to attend a party meeting.
“On 22 and 23 December, there is a meeting of all state presidents of the party in Delhi, so I’m going to attend it. During the visit, naturally, I will try to meet all party leaders and the national president (Nadda) and try to discuss the appointment of state office-bearers of the party,” he said.
Asked about talks on seat sharing with the JD(S), Vijayendra said, both parties are in alliance, but there is no information about JD(S)’ expectations, as to how many seats they want to contest in the Lok Sabha polls.
“They (JD(S) leaders) will discuss everything with our national leaders, we (state BJP) will also discuss with them. There have been no preliminary discussions on seat sharing yet. What JD(S) demands are will be discussed by the national leadership and the state unit will share its opinion,” he said.
Vijayendra said he was going to Delhi now to attend the meeting of BJP state presidents meeting and has no information on any seat-sharing talks.
The regional party is demanding at least four Parliamentary seats for the general polls. Other than Hassan and Mandya, JD(S) is eyeing the Mysuru, Kolar (SC), Raichur (ST), and Vijayapura (SC) constituencies — all of them currently being represented by the BJP.
However, it is not an easy task for the JD(S) as BJP MPs Pratap Simha and Ramesh Jigajinagi from Mysuru and Vijayapura, respectively, are not willing to give up their seats, sources told South First.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP won a record 25 out of the 28 Parliamentary seats, where the Congress, JD(S), and an independent had won one each. The JD(S) and Congress jointly fought the 2019 Lok Sabha.
Among the South Indian states, Karnataka has the highest number of BJP parliamentarians.
The regional party is planning to demand only those seats with a consolidated vote base, especially the old Mysuru region, and one constituency each in Kalyana Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka.
JD(S) senior leader and former minister SR Mahesh told South First: “The party leadership is planning to demand four Lok Sabha seats. Hassan, Mandya, Kolar, and either Mysuru or Raichur.”
“We are demanding these seats because the party has a strong base in these constituencies, and there are high chances of emerging victorious. We have held talks with BS Yediyurappa and are yet to meet the BJP high command regarding seat-sharing equations,” said Mahesh, hinting that the talks between the two parties will likely be held in a month.
(With PTI inputs)
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