No confusion on JD(S) alliance with BJP, says Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that discussions around who would become the chief minister in the event of a victory for the BJP-JD(S) alliance in the Assembly elections were "premature."

Making it clear that there was no confusion over the regional party’s alliance with the saffron party, Kumaraswamy said, “The Assembly elections are still far away. It is not the right time to discuss who should become the chief minister. There is ample time for that. Speaking about it now will be premature.”

The union minister said that both the parties would work together to not only strengthen the alliance, but also to bring to power a people-oriented government.

He sought to remind everyone that tentative decisions taken by political parties must not be deemed final.

“There have been no discussions among the two parties about either the local body elections or the polls to the five municipalities under GBA,” he added.

The JD(S) is working steadfastly to strengthen its organisation at the grassroots ahead of the upcoming elections, said the former chief minister, while stating that the party’s alliance with the BJP was not discussed at Saturday’s meeting.

“My objective is to evict the anti-people and corrupt government from power, and usher in people-centric administration. Both the BJP and JD(S) will work together to accomplish this,” he added.

Kumaraswamy refused to respond to statements made by BJP leaders on the future of the alliance.

“A few individuals will keep speaking about the alliance and the chief minister’s post. If I start responding to each statement, people may think I lack maturity,” he added.

Queried about the Bhu Guarantee scheme announced by the Congress government, Kumaraswamy dubbed it a ‘land guarantee’ scheme for some ministers.

“Everyone is aware of the accusations of land grabbing made against Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. It is a scheme announced for the benefit of ministers,” the former chief minister said.