In a big boost to the BJP in Karnataka ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Janata Dal (Secular) has announced an alliance with the BJP following a meeting of its leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy with Home Minister Amit Shah and party national president J P Nadda.
After the meeting, Nadda said on X, “I am happy that JD(S) has decided to be the part of National Democratic Alliance. We wholeheartedly welcome them in the NDA. This will further strengthen NDA and vision of Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji for ‘New India, Strong India’.” Shah said the JD(S) has expressed its trust in Modi’s vision of a developed India.
“I warmly welcome JD(S) to the NDA family. Their association will lead Karnataka on the path of development and pave the way for a stronger NDA and a stronger India,” he said.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was also present during the meeting.
After the meeting Kumaraswamy said, “Today formally we discussed about joining hands with the BJP. We’ve discussed the preliminary issues formally…There is no demand (from our side),” as quoted by news agency ANI.
Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who was also present at the meeting, said that seat-sharing has not been discussed yet, and will take some time.
“This decision has been taken for the good of the people of Karnataka, especially HD Devegowda, whose identity has always been secularism, for him to ally with BJP is a big decision,” Nikhil said.