BJP Clinches Seat Sharing Deal With JD(S) In Karnataka: Sources

As the countdown to the Lok Sabha election continues, the BJP has finalized an agreement with the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka regarding seat allocation. According to reports, the JD(S), under the leadership of HD Deve Gowda, will be contesting in three constituencies: Mandya, Hassan, and Kolar.

Additionally, it's been disclosed that in Bangalore Rural, CN Manjunath, who is HD Deve Gowda's son-in-law, will be contesting under the BJP's banner.

Days following the BJP's announcement of candidates for 20 out of Karnataka's 28 Lok Sabha seats, concerns surfaced among JDS leaders who felt marginalized in the decision-making process. During discussions with former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and his son, senior JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy, party members expressed their discontent. They highlighted that BJP leaders were excluding them from discussions and decision-making, which they believed could be detrimental to the party's interests.

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HD Kumaraswamy went on record stating that if the JDS did not secure three seats as part of the seat-sharing agreement, the party would independently announce its own candidates. This declaration underscored the JDS's resolve to assert its position within the alliance.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BJP clinched victory in 25 out of Karnataka's 28 seats, while the Congress and the JDS managed to secure one seat each. Presently, the Congress holds power in the state following its significant victory in the recent state polls.

Among the three seats allocated to the JDS, Kolar is presently represented by the BJP, Hassan by the JDS itself, and Mandya by an Independent candidate.

The negotiations between the JDS and BJP regarding seat-sharing reportedly in Karnataka stalled primarily due to disagreement over the Kolar constituency. The BJP insisted on retaining the seat since they emerged victorious in the previous election. However, the JDS remained firm on its stance of not settling for anything less than three seats.

During this deadlock, the ruling Congress took a dig at the situation, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar remarking that the JDS seemed to be "embarrassed by its alliance with BJP" and implying that the regional party didn't necessarily require an alliance to contest just two seats.

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