GOWDA CONFIRMS JD(S)-BJP TALKS FOR 2024 LOK SABHA POLLS

Amid the possibility of BJP and JD(S) forging an understanding for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Sunday confirmed that he has held discussions with the saffron party's leadership in Delhi, in the interest of the state and to save his outfit.

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Stating that his son and party leader H D Kumaraswamy will be holding discussions with the BJP leadership and decide regarding poll understanding, the JD(S) supremo said the seat-sharing was not discussed during his talks in the national capital.

"It is being criticised (by Congress leaders) that Deve Gowda went and met someone in Delhi. Yes, this party needs to be saved. I have worked forty years for this party. I saved this party even when Kumaraswamy went with BJP (forming alliance government in 2006)," Gowda said.

Addressing JD(S) workers meeting here, he said, "Yes, I contacted BJP leaders in Delhi, not for Deve Gowda to become Prime Minister once again. To save this party, a regional party that I have nurtured for 40 years....Yes, I met Modi, when BJP leaders themselves expressed desire to meet me. It is true that I spoke to them, but I have not asked for any seat."