Lok Sabha Polls: JDS' Kumaraswamy Holds Talks With Amit Shah On Seat-Sharing In Karnataka

During the discussion, Kumaraswamy advocated for JD(S) candidates to contest from key constituencies such as Mandya, Hassan, Bengaluru Rural, or Kolar in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Accompanying his father, Kumaraswamy's son and actor-turned-politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy participated in the meeting. ( Image Source :X/@ANI )

Former Chief Minister and Karnataka JD(S) President HD Kumaraswamy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday. The JD(S) leaders met the Union Minister for 30 minutes at his office in the capital. Accompanying his father, Kumaraswamy's son and actor-turned-politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy also took part in the meeting reportedly to discuss seat sharing between BJP and JD(S). 

On Friday, Karnataka JD(S) President HD Kumaraswamy affirmed that there are no concerns regarding his party's alliance with the BJP or the allocation of seats between the two parties in the state for the impending Lok Sabha elections. The JD(S) officially became part of the BJP-led NDA in September last year, and both parties collectively agreed to contest the Lok Sabha polls together.

"There are no issues with respect to alliance in any way, there are also no issues regarding seat sharing. Our intention is -- the alliance should win all the 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state," Kumaraswamy said, as per PTI.

According to IANS, sources revealed that Kumaraswamy's meeting with Amit Shah revolved around reaching a definitive decision on seat-sharing between their respective parties. They also reportedly addressed concerns regarding dissent within the BJP towards JD(S) in Karnataka.

During the discussion, Kumaraswamy also pitched for JD(S) candidates to contest from key constituencies such as Mandya, Hassan, Bengaluru Rural, or Kolar in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Even though the alliance was announced four months ago, the specifics of seat allocation in the state remained unresolved. Complicating matters, sitting MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, an independent candidate from Mandya, pledged her support to the BJP, declaring her intention to contest from Mandya.

Assuring Kumaraswamy, Amit Shah informed that promptly the seat-sharing arrangement will be finalized by considering JD(S)'s request to field candidates in Mandya and Hassan after consultation with state leadership.

Till now, JD(S) remains optimistic about securing five to seven seats from the BJP for the Lok Sabha elections.