BJP, JD (U) reach understanding in Karnataka

BJP general secretary Venkaiah Naidu, who rushed to the city on Tuesday to bring about an understanding, disclosed this to reporters on Wednesday evening. Naidu said the “last minute” deal had led to “a communication gap” between the two parties. As a result, both BJP and JD (U) candidates had filed nominations to the same constituencies. Before the last date for withdrawal of nominations (August 21 in case of the first round of polls), candidates on either side would be advised to withdraw their nominations in accordance with the seat-sharingunderstanding. Non-compliance would invite “action”, Naidu said adding that he did not expect any rebels in the fray.

Noting that the two parties had agreed to work together in the “interests of the nation, the National Democratic Alliance and of Karnataka”, Naidu clarified that the JD (U) was still not part of the NDA. A decision on this issue had been left to the prime minister, he said. The “perceptional differences” that existed with respect to an alliance with the JD (U) had been sorted out after detailed discussions, he said.

Asked how the BJP would justify its earlier criticism of Janata Dal leaders including Chief Minister J H Patel, Naidu said that his party had made no derogatory remark against anybody. When reminded of BJP’s earlier stand that JD was “additional baggage”, Naidu said “those are matters of the past”.

On the issue of who would be chief minister in case of victory, he said that the decision reached in Delhi — that the Chief Minister would be from the majority party inthe alliance — was a “general decision”.

BELLARY DRAMA: Following BJP leader Sushma Swaraj’s nomination from the Bellary Lok Sabha seat, the JD (U) would be compensated with either the Hassan or the Mandya Lok Sabha seats, Naidu said.

According to the seat-sharing understanding, the Bellary LS seat was to go to JD (U) candidate N Thippanna. “But in case Sonia Gandhi does not contest from Bellary, Sushma will withdraw her nomination, and the seat will go back to JD (U)”, Naidu said.

Meanwhile, the discontent in BJP circles over the seat-sharing agreement was clear. Yediyurappa, who had been staying away from the seat-sharing talks, was not present at Naidu’s press conference. However, according to Naidu, both Yediyurappa and Ramakrishna Hegde were present when they reached an understanding. “All the leaders have now gone to their constituencies to file nominations,” he explained. However, Yediyurappa’s constituency — Shikaripura — goes to polls in the second round and the last date fornominations there is far away.