BS Yediyurappa discusses alliance with JDS in Karnataka with BJP leadership

When the BJP central election committee met to discuss the candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, a discussion also took place on the seat-sharing arrangement with the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka. Senior BJP leader from Karnataka BS Yediyurappa is also part of the CEC and was in Delhi to meet party leaders, apart from attending the CEC meeting.

“There will be discussions regarding the Lok Sabha seats also in the CEC. A decision on the seats will be taken by the central leadership,” Yediyurappa told media persons in Bengaluru before leaving for Delhi.

A week earlier, he had announced that an agreement had been reached between the BJP and JDS, where JDS will contest on four Lok Sabha seats. However, later, both the sides confirmed that a call on the number of seats would be taken by the central leadership of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.


On Wednesday, the alliance talk got further momentum with senior Karnataka BJP leader KS Eshwarappa meeting JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy at his residence. The leaders discussed seat sharing. Sources told ET that further talks will take place after Yeddyurappa comes back from Delhi and after Ganesh Chaturthi on September 19.

“It was a courtesy meeting . In 2019, BJP had won 25 of the 28 seats. I am sure in alliance with the JDS, we will win all 28 seats in 2024,” Eshwarappa told ET.

As per BJP sources, there are 8-10 LS seats, including those in Old Mysuru, parts of Coastal Karnataka and Bengaluru regions, where the party feels an alliance with the JDS is going to be beneficial. In 2019, BJP contested 28 seats and had supported independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh who contested from Mandya Lok Sabha seat. By going for an alliance with JDS, BJP is prepared to contest on a lesser number of seats for better electoral performance.