The JD(S) is keeping political pundits busy guessing over its next move. While JD(S) chief HD Devegowda has constantly refused to confirm if he would ally with the BJP or join a united Opposition's platform, his statements of late have been an indication that the former PM might just lean towards the saffron party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Taking the indications a step further, HD Devegowda on Wednesday met BJP leader and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and handed him over cheques of Rs 10,000 to 10 children sponsored by Surya's NaMo Vidyanidhi programme. Althought the two parties went solo for the recently concluded Karnataka elections, Wednesday's meeting between the two leaders has sparked fresh speculation of the JD(S) and BJP securing an alliance before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Surya met Deve Gowda as part of BJP's Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyan. The two discussed the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in the last nine years, reported ANI.
Last week, Deve Gowda evaded a direct question on whether he would be joining Nitish Kumar's anti-BJP alliance or if he would prefer tying up with the saffron party. He said, "I can analyze in detail this country's politics, what is the use? Show me one party which has not been associated with the BJP, either directly or indirectly. Show me one party in the whole country, then I will answer."
Responding to the Opposition's allegations of the BJP being "communal", Deve Gowda said, "Who is communal, who is not communal, I don't know. First of all, the definition of communal and non communal -- it can be enlarged, then the scope is much..."
Brushing off speculations, the 91-year-old veteran politician said: "Regarding the Parliament election, there are a variety of things, we are not going to pay attention to it. Our party, our strength -- our karyakartas are our strength -- by unifying and encouraging them, we will have to work towards strengthening the regional party, save it and move ahead."
Pointing to the presence of strong regional parties in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, he said, "In that direction we will have to strive towards strengthening and nurturing the JD(S) by giving more strength to youth." He also said that he had advised the constitution of a "high level" committee with representation from all communities for strengthening the party.