Still to discuss seat-sharing with BJP, but will fight 2024 polls jointly: HD Kumaraswamy

Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy has dismissed talk his party has allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election, explaining that negotiations are still in an "initial phase" and "a lot of discussions are yet to happen". The former Chief Minister said BJP leader BS Yediyurappa's comment - that an agreement is in place - reflected his "personal reaction".

"Yediyurappa's reaction is his personal... Until now, there has been no discussion on seat sharing or anything. We have met cordially... These are initial phases of discussions... He (Mr Yediyurappa) has spoken good about our party... (I) thank him for his statement," Mr Kumaraswamy said today.

The JDS leader also nixed media reports claiming his party is "adamant" on being allowed to stand for the Mandya Lok Sabha seat - won by a BJP-backed independent candidate in 2019 - and at least two others, including the Tumkur seat party boss HD Deve Gowda unsuccessfully contested.