Lok Sabha Polls: JD(S) Leader Kumaraswamy Clears Air On Rift With BJP Over Seat Sharing In Karnataka, Says 'No Trust Deficit'

The JD (S) leader said that his party leaders have asked him to communicate to the BJP leadership about the need to treat the JD(S) 'respectfully'.

Former prime minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.

Source : PTI

Lok Sabha Elections: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday that there is no confusion in the ties between the Bharatiya Janata Party and his party. A day after giving an indication of unhappiness over the seat-sharing issue with the saffron party for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, Kumaraswamy said that it did not mean that there is a trust deficit between the two parties.

The former Chief Minister expressed hope that the issue over giving Kolar a seat to the regional party "will be clear". On Monday, he expressed displeasure over the seat sharing issue, and said that he has faith that his party will get three to four seats, amid reports that the BJP party may cede it only two.

The JD(S) leader also said his party leaders have asked him to communicate to the BJP leadership about the need to treat the JD(S) "respectfully" and make them understand its strength in at least 18 Lok Sabha segments.

"Yesterday, after the JD(S) core committee members and leaders meeting, I shared information regarding discussions held in our party regarding the communication gap between both parties regarding -- BJP and JD(S) working together with trust in all the 28 Lok Sabha segments," Kumaraswamy said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Speaking to reporters, the JD(S) state president said, "With regards to seat sharing, as I said yesterday, from the beginning, we have asked for three seats. From the BJP side, whether it is its high command or friends in the state, till this moment they have not given any clarity regarding the specified number of seats for us to contest."

Kumaraswamy further stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during meetings with him, has always treated JD (S) request with respect. He stated that his reaction before the media on Monday did not mean that there is a trust deficit between the two parties.

"My statement yesterday that we have asked for three seats, and that, did I have to put efforts for just two seats -- was reacting to media reports. I did not say it because of the trust deficit between us. I drew your (media) attention in the backdrop of what was discussed in our core committee meeting," he further stated, as quoted by PTI.

JD (S) joined the NDA last September and has forged an electoral alliance with the BJP. The party is expected to contest in three seats—Mandya, Hassan, and Kolar—and, as per agreement between both parties, noted cardiac surgeon and Deve Gowda's son-in-law, Dr. C. N. Manjunath has been fielded from Bangalore Rural on a BJP ticket.

According to PTI, the saffron party is not ready to cede Kolar seat to JD(S), which has irked the regional outfit. The BJP's S Muniswamy is the incumbent Kolar MP.

The JD(S) state chief stated that there are no issues over the Kolar seat. He also indicated that his party will field a candidate in that constituency as well, along with Mandya and Hassan, and claimed that there is an "atmosphere" for the party to win there. He further stated that he was going to Chennai for medical treatment and would not be available for five days; once he is back, the party's candidates will be announced.

Kumaraswamy slammed state Congress chief and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's for taking a dig at JD(S)' "situation" following alliance with BJP, and said that the he was the main reason for his party deciding for this alliance. "What has happened to us (in the alliance with BJP)? BJP did not ill-treat me like Congress did," he said, as quoted by PTI.