New Delhi: Karnataka's Janata Dal (Secular) party, led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy, has officially joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), as announced by BJP National President JP Nadda on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
The announcement came after a crucial meeting between JD(S) leaders and key BJP figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and JP Nadda. The discussions centred on forging an alliance between the JD(S) and the BJP for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.
Expressing his happiness for the newfound alliance, JP Nadda tweeted, "I am happy that JD(S) has decided to be a part of National Democratic Alliance. We wholeheartedly welcome them in the NDA."
The JD(S), founded by HD Deve Gowda, who served as the Prime Minister of India from June 1996 to April 1997, was previously in an alliance with the Congress during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. During that time, both parties jointly governed Karnataka under the leadership of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
Speculations regarding a possible alliance between the JD(S) and the BJP first arose when Karnataka BJP leader and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa hinted at his party's interest in collaborating with the JD(S) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Sources close to the matter have revealed that JD(S) is expected to contest in four Lok Sabha seats out of Karnataka's total 28 constituencies as part of this alliance, setting the stage for a potentially game-changing political scenario in the state.