On JDS-BJP Alliance, Deve Gowda’s Big Claims About Kerala Chief Minister

A political row has erupted in Kerala over a statement by JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda a day ago that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had greenlit his party's alliance with the BJP in Karnataka to protect its interests. Kerala JD(S) leader, K Krishnankutty on Friday, firmly refuted Mr Gowda's statement.

Opposing the national leadership's association with the BJP, Mr Krishnankutty also emphasised the state unit's commitment to maintaining its alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).

"I met him (Deve Gowda) along with our state president, Mathew T Thomas, MLA, and informed him about our objection to joining the BJP. The state party unit stands by the earlier decision to stand firm with the Left party in Kerala," Mr Krishnankutty, who is also a minister in the LDF government in Kerala, said.