Talks still at initial stage, says HDK, day after BSY announced BJP-JD(S) alliance

Discussions to forge an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party are still at an initial stage, Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy said on Saturday, a day after veteran BJP leader and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa confirmed that the two parties would contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections together.

- Arun Dev

"These are merely preliminary phases of discussions. I've observed media reports regarding this over the past few days.

I've also seen senior leader Yediyurappa's statement, in which he spoke favourably about our party, (HD) Deve Gowda, and me. I thank him for his statement, and we anticipate working together in the days ahead," Kumaraswamy said.

On Friday, Yediyurappa-the tallest BJP leader in Karnataka said both parties have come to an agreement that the JD(S) would contest four of the state's 28 Lok Sabha seats leaving the remaining for the BJP.

Kumaraswamy, also a former CM, however said detailed discussions about matters such as seat allocation in the Mandya region, JD(S) stronghold, are yet to take place. "There is still time for these discussions, and many deliberations lie ahead," he said.